Theoretical explanations of nurses’ decisions to volunteer

Abstract

Throughout history, nurses have volunteered to serve in wars and disasters worldwide. There is a curiosity about why some nurses feel compelled to volunteer to serve in extreme circumstances. Volunteer theory provides a theoretical framework for better understanding this phenomenon, in particular theories from sociology and psychology. Experiences of nurses who volunteered in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the United States are presented using a phenomenological approach to begin to develop a nursing knowledge base about volunteerism and service in nursing. The essence of the Hurricane Katrina volunteer experience is presented and considered in the context of theoretical explanations.