24 May 2013

Our International Nursing Studies students have been treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the facilities at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (ECTC), a regional centre of excellence delivering specialist treatment for chest and lung conditions across the East of England.

The morning organised by Pam Page, Course Group Leader for International Nursing Studies, engaged the student nurses in comparing cardiological conditions, treatments and clinical practices internationally. The nurses share their areas of expertise and experiences from their home countries, which include India, Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka and others.

Anthony Schirn, Clinical Nurse Educator on Roding Ward, discussed with them the different provisions for patients entering the centre for procedures and in emergency situations and how our students would respond to similar situations in their own hospitals. Anthony tested them on their knowledge of recognising and treating heart attacks and the different treatments available to patients in the UK and overseas.

Anthony then led the nurses around the ward and introduced them to the high dependency beds that have a computerised work station at the bedside for nurses to update notes as they work; a technological luxury not common in our international nurses? hospitals.

Liz Shaughnessy, Clinical Nurse Educator for the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre on Colne Ward invited us to tour the Intensive Care Unit (ITU). This was more familiar for the majority of our nurses and they were eager to see and learn about the facilities. As expected there were many differences, ranging from patient recovery times after surgery to nurse to patient ratios.

In the ECTC ITU the ratio is a maximum one nurse to two patients, whereas in our students home environment there could be one nurse for up sixty patients. They also had the opportunity to discuss the impact of the latest evidence-based care and research on the patient experience.

The students specifically appreciated the value of Anthony and Liz and their roles as educators in continuing the professional development of the nurses in the hospital; a policy they would like to see at home.

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