1. A collaborative learning initiative: 3rd year nursing students undertake a primary health placement in the Cook Islands th 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

2. 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

4. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

12. 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

13. Ministry of Agriculture and Taro Fields

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