Working collaboratively with Pacific Nations Jo Conaglen AUT New Zealand Mary MacManus AUT New Zealand Michael Larui MOHMS Solomon Island Verzilyn Isom SICHE Solomon Islands

Working with consultants Our experience Solomon Island nursing issues that required a consultant – Nursing training program – Nursing staff development What we learned in the process – Working together – Shared Goal: to improve the standard of SI nursing – Confidence to do what we knew we had to do

Phase one: Involvement Coming together Shared goal: improve the standard of SI nursing Trust developed

Relationship is fundamental Talk-talk – Issues become clear – Direction begins to emerge Our expertise was valued Confidence to work with the emerging bigger picture

Phase 2: Collaboration Clear vision: All nurse leaders and nurses in senior positions will have a post graduate qualification

Phase 3: Empowerment Competency confirmed Sustainable plan – Country ownership It’s good/ it’s right/ its ours – In-country skills and expertise to keep it going – Commitment to keep developing

Consultant brings: New perspective begins conversations that critiques long held beliefs Be a new voice Able to see beyond the here and now A long held belief that won’t be questioned even if it gets in the way of progress.

Collaboration Repeated visits – Review, & revise – Skill preparation for next phase – Keep up momentum Strengths focused Relationship – Within and between

Working in a Foreign Culture Recognising the blindness of our own cultural views Ensuring that understanding of situations is correct Partnership essential for solutions that are culturally appropriate

Shared Vision Meaningful Communication Mutual Respect No Shared Vision Perception Gap Assist not run Advise not control

Conclusions Relationship: from araikwao to wantok Collaboration –partnership based on respect for each others strengths Empowered to act and keep on developing