A collaborative learning initiative: 3rd year nursing students undertake a primary health placement in the Cook Islands 18th South Pacific Nurses Forum Honiara, Solomon Islands, 2016 Associate Professor Rachael Vernon, RN, BN, MPhil, PhD, MACN Associate Head of School Nursing & Midwifery, UniSA Dr Terri Gibson RN, Dip App Sc (Nsg), BN (Ed), MN (Std), PhD, FACN Program Director Postgrad & International, School of Nursing & Midwifery, UniSA Ms Mary MacManus, RN, BN, MN, Principal School of Nursing Te Maraea Ora, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands

UniSA School of Nursing and Midwifery Cook Islands Study Tour 2016 Collaborative initiative between: School of Nursing & Midwifery UniSA, the Cook Islands Ministry of Health and School of Nursing Joint Primary Health Care (PHC) Clinical placement 3rd year nursing students from UniSA Bachelor of Nursing program (10 students) and the Cook Islands Diploma in Nursing program (7 students) Placement: Rarotonga CI, 9 – 23 April 2016 Funding: Australian Government New Colombo Plan and UniSA Short Term Mobility Grant

Aims… To enable students to develop: An international perspective of the challenges and potential impact of primary/public health interventions within the context of a whole of population approach Professional knowledge, skills and understanding of health care delivery in the Cook Islands

Objectives… 1. Develop professional knowledge of nursing and health care in an international context through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of PHC initiatives Participating in PHC activities relevant to the local community 2. Develop organisational and team skills in an international context through collaborative participation in a PHC initiative with nursing students in the host country professional communication with members of the health care team

3. Develop communication skills for the international context through: exposure to the local cultural context interaction with clients and other health professionals in the host country sharing professional knowledge and skills across cultures 4. Appreciate differences in legal, ethical, quality and safety issues through: comparing nursing roles and scopes of practice observation of the health care environment Discussion with host country health professionals

Planning Discussions between CI MoH and School of Nursing and UniSA Funding application MOA Developed Visit November 2015 Meetings with key stakeholders Confirmation: Dates Accommodation Activities

Considerations Student preparation Working closely together (UniSA & CI staff member) Flexibility / problem solving Respectful of / receptive to different cultures, perspectives and experiences

Operationalising Collaboration/relationships UniSA & CI MoH Rachael and Mary Student to student Logistics/flexibility Debriefing Pastoral care Ensuring the learning experiences achieved the student’s aims and objectives

Benefits International relationships Life changing experience Greater understanding of the relationship between culture and health The diversity of nursing practice Experience of a different health system, particularly as it relates to Primary Health Care Environmental and social determinants of health

Ministry of Agriculture and Taro Fields

Hot off the press… Funding has been approved for the 2017 study tour Planning is underway