Well women and children: Primary healthcare nursing in action

What will I study?

• Hospital visits to Fishtail Hospital and Gandaki Maternity Hospital. As a multi-disciplinary 100 bed care hospital providing comprehensive health care in Pokhara they provide the following services consisting of  Internal Medicine and Intensive Care, General Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurosurgery,  Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Maternity and Child Care, Oncology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Neuro Psychiatry, Dermatology, Paediatrics and Neonatal Care Dentistry and Physiotherapy. Morning rounds at Fishtail Hospital & Gandaki Hospital allow nursing and midwifery students opportunity to provide patient assessment and care under supervision. Afternoons focus on exchange workshops with Pokhara University or community based organisations such as Children Nepal, the HIV Rehabilitation Centre and Gandaki Maternity Hospital. Small groups of students will work together on each ward at any one time, rotating through the wards and departments during their placement at the discretion of the Western Sydney University supervisors.
• NGO and community health centre visits such as Seven Women in Kathmandu and Children Nepal, HIV rehabilitation centre in Pokhara.
• Cultural immersion activities, city orientations, Nepali language class, sightseeing in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
• Lectures and workshops such as Maternity and Womens wellness, community health, health education at a local primary school, HIV lecture, maternal health education and TB.
• Participate in offering a two-day health camp where you will assist communities outside of Pokhara organised by Lions Club and Fishtail Hospital. Locations are normally 2-3 hours away and staffed by Fishtail doctors and nurses. These camps normally see 600+ residents daily.  The students role includes conducting registrations and observations, shadow doctors on assessment tables and conduct health education & Days for Girls sessions.
• A video providing further information about the program in Nepal can be found here
• Please refer to the online Information Brief and webinars for future information.

What are the requirements for this experience

• To be eligible you must submit an Expression of Interest Form outlining how you meet the criteria below:
  • Students must be enrolled in an Undergraduate Nursing Degree or Midwifery Degree;
  • Students have successfully completed 80 credit points of study in their degree;
  • Preferably students have an elective unit available such as (Summer Elective – 400958 A Field Study: Comparative Studies in Health Care Delivery). If not, students will still be able to enroll as they will be given up to 80 hours towards their clinical placement and still eligible for NCP funding. Although it is preferable students have not completed their one elective as they will need to pay additional HECs fees for enrolling in an additional elective; and
  • Students must have their special requirements up-to-date and once approved will need to complete an online participation registration form, upload the following documents to Gate 19, Passport with six months validity post return, Valid Blue Card and an up to date resume with relevant nursing (or midwifery as applicable) experience
• Note: Only students who have Australian Citizenship are eligible for New Colombo Grant funding towards the cost of this field study trip.
• Please refer to the online Information Brief and webinars for future information.

How much will it cost?

• The total placement cost: $5983
  Each student will pay $2983 if they are eligible for the New Colombo Plan $3000 grant. This will cover:
  • International Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and Lunch on placement days
  • Transport
  • Orientation and sightseeing
  • Placement fee for medications and clinic equipment for Health Camp
  • Interpreters and ground support
  • Supervision by Western Sydney University staff
  • 24-hour support for students and next of kin in country and Australia
  • On the ground advice and booking option for weekend excursions
  • Pre-departure preparation program
• Students will need to pay for:
  • University travellers are advised to take their own personal insurance to cover leisure time during their overseas placement. Additional cover can be obtained via the University’s travel provider.
  • Vaccinations
  • Nepal Visa
  • Meals not included in itinerary
  • Activities on free days
  • Fundraising
  • HECS-HELP/student fees for enrolment in 400958 (or equivalent midwifery Unit as applicable)
• Please refer to the online Information Brief and webinars for future information.

What else do I need to know?

• The cost of this trip is partially funded by the Commonwealth Government New Colombo Plan – as part of the government requirements only Australian citizens are eligible for approved grant funding. Eligible students may also apply for OS HELP to pay for the field study trip. HECS/Student Fees are additional to the cost of attending the field study.
• Students are required to read and sign a Code of Conduct before departing on the field trip to ensure that they understand the expectations of the University and their responsibilities to maintain appropriate conduct.
• Students must have an up to date passport that is not due to expire within six months of the departure date.
• Students will need to have completed the NSW Health Special Requirements for clinical practicum attendance.
• Students are required to visit their travel doctor or GP before the second compulsory workshop and present evidence that they have had all necessary vaccinations for the field placement.
• All students must be aware that they may not be able share a room with a friend/friends. Students who have sleep problems including snoring will need to advise the Unit Coordinator during the interview.
• All students with an existing medical condition must present a letter about their treatment and emergency care as necessary to the Unit Coordinator – this will be discussed during the informal interview with the Course Coordinator and full information provided before departure.
• Days for Girls course – Although not mandatory, we strongly encourage all students to enrol in the free Days for Girls teaching course. This will ensure you are well-prepared to provide this health education training. Further details will be provided.
• Please refer to the online Information Brief and webinars for future information.

Am I eligible for the New Colombo Plan Mobility Grant?

• The New Colombo Plan is a signature initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region.
• Each eligible student selected for this opportunity will be supported by a $3000 New Colombo Plan Mobility grant
• To be eligible you must be:
  • an Australian citizen
  • enrolled in an undergraduate degree at Western Sydney University
  • be aged 18-28 years
  • must not have received a New Colombo Plan Mobility grant on a previous occasion
  • receive academic recognition for the experience
• Note: The Government requires that 70% of participants in the program must be between the ages of 18 and 28. Therefore 30% of participants can be 29 and over. If you are over the age of 28, you are still encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest

What is OS-HELP?

• You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,149 are available. Academic recognition is required; you must have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10
  credit points remaining on return. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/2p2ooo0

Conditions of Participation

• The University of Western Sydney University is committed to demonstrating high standards of personal and professional conduct at all times. When participating in an overseas program, students must assume certain obligations to Western Sydney University (WSU), the prospective country and other participants in a program. See Conditions of Participation in an Overseas Program.
• The university reserves the right to vary program fees in the event of changes in exchange rates or price rises made by partners or other suppliers. If the cost of any service increases due to exchange rate fluctuations, price increases, tax changes or any other reason, participants are required to pay the increase when notified or may cancel a program which may result in cancellation fees.

STEP 1: Register Your Interest

• Students who wish to be considered for this Field Study Trip must submit an Expression of Interest (that includes how you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the information brief) to Rebecca Stamopoulos R.Stamopoulos@westernsydney.edu.au and cc to the Unit Coordinator Dr Lyn Francis L.francis@westernsydney.edu.au by 5:00pm August 30th, 2019.

STEP 2: Apply for Academic Approval

• Discuss your preferred option with your Academic Course Adviser (ACA) or placement coordinator - visit your School website and see 'Contact'
• To receive recognition for your overseas experience, it is important that you seek advice from your Academic Course Advisor and apply for academic approval at least 3 months prior to commencement. Find out how to apply for Academic Approval below: 
  • Approval for Study Abroad / Non-Exchange+

STEP 3: Apply for OS-HELP

• You may be eligible for OS-HELP, a deferred HELP debt loan for undergraduate Australian citizens - loans of $4,000 or $8,149 are available. Academic Approval is required; have completed 80 credit points of study, and have 10 credit points remaining on return.
• Note, depending on the program, some of the opportunities below provide a scholarship, tuition waivers, free or cheap accommodation etc.

STEP 4: Complete the 'Before I Go' Online Checklist

Complete the Online Checklist (opens in a new window) to ensure you have completed the important tasks before heading overseas. This includes applying for a Student Mobility Travel Grant and information about travel insurance.