Nursing students to gain first-hand experience of India’s health provision

Six nursing students from the University of Derby have embarked on a month-long placement in India, starting today (Friday, January 15).

Rebecca Smith, Faith Vargas, Jessica Rouse, Joshua Burton, Donna Jezusek and Ben Hulme, all third-year Adult Nursing students based in Chesterfield, have flown to Kerela to begin their overseas clinical placement in India.

While on the placement, the students will work full time each week and also have the opportunity to explore the area and immerse themselves in a new culture.

The successful students have been commended by the University’s Health Care Practice Department for their commitment and personal financial investment in their own development as they move towards the completion of their programme at Derby and on to becoming Registered Nurses with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Guy Collins, Senior Lecturer in Pre-Qualification Health Care, said: “The overseas clinical placements will provide students with insight into different health care systems, resource availability and cultures. They will gain experience across a wide range of clinical settings that will be supported by local in country nursing and inter-professional mentors.

“The placement experience will assist in not only consolidating the students' existing knowledge, skills and competency but will promote their future abilities for lifelong development and employability, transferring this experience into their future nursing careers, not only within the UK but also potentially within an international arena".

Speaking about his expectations of the trip, Joshua Burton, 24, from Alfreton, said: “I’m looking forward to immersing myself in a new culture and working within the emergency division and in intensive care. I know that patient care and the delivery of care in India will be different so it will be very interesting to see it first-hand.

“The experience will enable me to consolidate and expand on the knowledge and skills I’ve learned at Derby over the past three years. The placement will also provide me with an insight into my future career as a newly qualified emergency care staff nurse.”

Jessica Rouse from Chesterfield, who will celebrate her 21^st birthday on Sunday (January 17) in India, added: “I’m extremely excited about the elective placement – it’s a very special opportunity and I’m very grateful I have the skills to provide medical care in another country that isn’t fortunate to have a national health service.

“The placement is going to give me a great head start in my career. As well as making use of everything I’ve learned in my three years at Derby, I’m going to obtain new skills and knowledge while in India that will be a huge benefit when I qualify as a staff nurse.”

Find out more about studying Nursing at the University of Derby.