Firstly, I would like to say a big thank you all my fellow tour participants, they are an amazing group of nurses and doctor dedicated to their profession with a sense of enthusiasm and passion to support all aspects of nursing and the future of the nursing profession. This experience provided an opportunity to look at another country with mixed and diverse health care options. ‘It showed me that nursing care can be provided at a high standard with not many resources.’
As example we visited the major public teaching hospital in Hanoi, Bach Mai. What an experience to see how fortunate we are in Australia with our nurse to patient ratio compared to other hospitals. Bach Mai had an average of 1 nurse to 25 patients on the general wards! Not something we would see across Australia. ‘It was also enlightening to see a health system where the family play such an important role in the care of the patients, it really identified the how a patient and family centred model of care can work.’
The other amazing learning was the role of traditional medicine in the Vietnamese healthcare system. ‘It was such an experience to listen and learn from the passionate nursing, medical and pharmacy staff on how traditional medicine can help with recovery, symptom management and pain relief.’ This is something I am keen to review more and look at how alternative medicine can play a stronger role in our models of care.
What would you say to those thinking about applying for the scholarship?
Don’t just think about it, apply and do it. It is often hard to put yourself first and the impact of being away for the duration of the nursing tour can be daunting but with planning and determination you can arrange it. This has been an amazing experience for me, it allowed me to grow my professional connections with other amazing nurses from around Australia and see how nursing and health care is delivered overseas. But most of all this experience has created new friendship that will continue into the future.