Nursing students deliver care in Indonesia

The University of the Sunshine's Coast's first accredited international nursing placement will see students take their medical skills to rural villages in Indonesia.

One of 20 students selected for the trip, midwifery and nursing student Emma Kendall, said she hoped to be able to grow as a professional when she takes on the three-week clinical placement in Java next month.

Kendall hopes to make a lasting impact on rural villagers from the Indonesian island of Java when she takes part in the University’s first accredited international nursing placement.

“With limited resources, we will have to think both on our feet and outside the box, and find ways to safely improvise in some situations,” she said.

“I hope by helping to educate villagers about the prevention and management of health conditions, we can leave a lasting impression on those we visit.”

The group will be accompanied by USC Senior Lecturer in Nursing Dr Debbie Massey and Lecturer in Nursing Matt Mason.

Mr Mason said USC’s first overseas nursing experience would allow students to gain credit towards their degree, while making a long-term, sustainable contribution to rural communities.

“The students will spend time in three Javanese villages near the historical World Heritage-listed city of Yogyakarta where they will overcome cultural, language and social barriers to gain a different perspective on nursing care and health education,” he said.

Students will provide everything from house calls to basic wound care and injury management to health assessments.

They will also conduct health education workshops for local schools, health workers and community members on topics such as hand hygiene, oral care and nutrition, and analyse the needs of local health care services to help direct future USC students.