Malawi Nursing Exchange: a unique opportunity for Vanier Nursing Students

Thanks to a generous donation from Abbott Laboratories, Vanier College Nursing students who are currently on the first Vanier Nursing exchange with Africa, brought with them four Abbott Diabetes Care glucometers and hundreds of test strips for testing patients for high blood sugar levels. “These meters and test strips are worth a fortune and will allow the students to screen individuals for Diabetes,” indicates Nursing teacher Melodie Hicks who accompanied the students.

Six weeks in Malawi The four students are spending the last six weeks of their Vanier Nursing program completing their internship in Malawi. First, they are working for two weeks at St Andrews Hospital, a small rural hospital that sees over 300 out patients each day. “March is the height of the Malaria season,” indicates Melodie Hicks, “so this additional help is much appreciated.” The students are then moving to the capital city of Lilongwe where they will live in residence at Kamuzu College of Nursing, attend classes at the University of Malawi and provide nursing care in the Central Hospital. Students will complete over 160 clinical hours while abroad.

Unique learning opportunities What can an underdeveloped country like Malawi teach Vanier students? “The experience of being completely immersed in another culture cannot be taught in the classroom,” explains Melodie Hicks. “Immersion helps students develop greater awareness of cultural differences in health care practices. They can then use this knowledge when caring for our diverse Canadian population.”

Doing much with little The students will also learn to provide nursing care with very limited human and material resources. “They will need to be self-reliant, trust their knowledge, problem solve, prioritize and think critically,” says Melodie Hicks. “Nurses in Montreal are often short-staffed and work double shifts. This experience abroad will put our reality into perspective. The students will see how one registered nurse can manage the care of 50 patients or more.”

Broader horizons “I hope this exchange will broaden our students’ horizons and show them how their Nursing education can offer endless possibilities to contribute at home and in the global community.” Read Melodie Hicks blog for details on the exchange.