Exchange programme for nursing students launched

A clinical placement exchange programme for undergraduate nursing students recently commenced between the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College and its counterpart at the Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland. The Erasmus international exchange initiative will give participating students the opportunity to work one-to-one with a registered nurse who will provide learning support and guidance throughout the 12 week placement which is tailored to meet the programme needs of each Erasmus student.

During the clinical practice placements Erasmus students have direct patient contact and work as part of a healthcare team in a teaching hospital affiliated with the host university. Students are exposed to a range of nursing practice areas such as medical, surgical, mental health, paediatric and accident and emergency. The overall clinical allocation is then supervised and facilitated by a clinical practice coordinator in each participating hospital. A registered nurse then assesses the students learning and reports back to the home university. For the first year of the exchange TCD has accepted two students from Finland and one Irish student has taken up residence in Finland for the placement.

The development of the Erasmus clinical practice placement provide both Irish and international students with the opportunity to experience firsthand different systems of healthcare and nursing practice. It also offers an opportunity to exchange ideas with other nurses, students and healthcare workers, and gain an insight into healthcare issues related to a different culture. The initiative was led by lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery and Chair of the International Strategic Cooperation Committee, Dr Naomi Elliott, along with Clinical Allocations Officer, Professor Padraig Dunne and supported by Catherine Williams of TCD’s International Office.