International education programs for nurses and midwives

Research sheds new light on the importance of international education programs for nurses and midwives

Research from Jacqueline Johnston, PhD candidate and Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, is shedding new light on the importance of international education programs for nurses and midwives.

“Many nursing and midwifery students take part in international educational programs during their pre-registration education, such as exchange, clinical placement and short-term cultural programs,” Jacqueline explains.

“While the short-term outcomes of participation have been reported in the literature, there is less information available about the long-term impact.”

Jacqueline’s research examined how participation in international education impacted nurses and midwives over several years.

“We found that nurses and midwives experienced long-lasting personal benefits which contributed positively to professional practice. International educational programs helped improve communication skills, forming and maintaining connections, promoted growth and development and provided transformative learning.”

“This research highlights the importance of incorporating international education experiences into healthcare education. By providing these opportunities, organisations and educational institutions can foster the development of well-rounded and globally competent practitioners.”

Jacqueline says the findings of the study could be applied across many industries.

“These findings could be applied across other healthcare professions and beyond, particularly in fields such as education and emergency services, where non-technical skills such as communication, empathy, resilience and self-awareness are essential.”