Newsroom staff
21 December 2015: Nursing students from the University of Canberra had the chance to experience the healthcare system in the Kingdom of Tonga, while on a month-long trip earlier this year.
The ten nursing students, who visited Tonga as part of a clinical placement earlier this year, were able to rotate working in different areas of the island to help develop their theoretical knowledge, communication and clinical practice skills.
The aim of the placement was to give students a rich learning experience, by providing nursing care in a different culture and reflecting on the different levels of healthcare between Australia and the Pacific.
-
UC nursing students experienced the Tongan healthcare system as part of overseas clinical placements. Photo supplied
The students were able to work in a range of services from the medical and surgical ward in the main hospital in Tonga to community-based nursing services in the areas of reproductive health and non-communicable diseases and the diabetic clinic.
"This experience provides students with a unique opportunity to develop their nursing skills in an international setting, make valuable contacts and be immersed in very different healthcare settings," said University of Canberra clinical liaison nurse Lucinda Ashton, who travelled with them.
Second year student Kyle Abey said that being immersed in the daily workings of another country gave him an interesting insight into the Tongan culture, health issues and way of life.
"Tonga is an amazing nation filled with beautiful people who on a daily basis greet you with smiles and waves. The lifestyle was very laid back and relaxing," Mr Abey said.
The placement was funded through a grant provided under the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Program, which gives students the opportunity to live and study across the Indo-Pacific region as part of their degree. The NCP Program aims to improve student knowledge about the Indo-Pacific and to strengthen long-term relationships between Australia and the region.
