Nursing Education Milestones for the Pacific
We're thrilled to announce significant milestones in nursing education for the region!
The existing partnership between the World Health Organisation Collaborative Centre for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Development University of Technology Sydney (WHO CC Nursing and Midwifery UTS) and the School of Nursing at Fiji National University (FNU) continues to sow seeds for nursing education. This year UTS signed an MOU with FNU and as a result, there have already been several visits by staff from UTS.
Through the dedicated efforts of academics from the School of Nursing Fiji National University (FNU), the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the World Health Organisation Collaborative Centre for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Development at the University of Technology Sydney (WHO CC UTS), the Post Graduate Diploma of Nursing Specialisation in Perioperative Nursing is being delivered for the first time.
Dr Elizabeth Brogan of UTS, an Adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing at FNU, has led the implementation of the program. In February 2024, Dr Elizabeth visited the School of Nursing at FNU to deliver the first of two intense face-to-face teaching weeks for the inaugural student delivery. In first image from left to right: Albert Tioti O'Connor, Mere Vata, Keshni Singh, Dr Elizabeth Brogan, Luisa Ratule, Filipi Keresoma.
Dr Elizabeth continues to deliver weekly lectures online and is looking forward to returning in July for the second intense face-to-face teaching week. Dr Elizabeth will also be visiting local hospitals to provide clinical education to nurses supporting the FNU students during the clinical component of their degree.
A specialized diploma in perioperative nursing contributes greatly to strengthening the healthcare systems in the Pacific. As the need for surgery in the region rises, there is a need to capacity build perioperative nursing. Service delivery and patient care will greatly benefit from this diploma being offered. For nurses, this presents a new opportunity in knowledge and skill advancement.
Prof Di Brown and colleagues at School of Nursing, FNU
In April, Professor Di Brown from WHO CC Nursing, Midwifery and Health Development, UTS was invited by the School of Nursing, FNU to support the development of the new Master of Nursing Leadership anticipated to commence in the 2025 academic year.
This Masters builds on the success of the Graduate Diploma of Nursing Management and Leadership and responds directly to a key development priority across many Pacific Island countries. It equips a new generation of nurses to pave new initiatives and strengthen existing ones as the Pacific continues to face increasing health burdens.
As a result of the partnership Prof Di Brown was also invited by the Tongan National Qualification and Accreditation Board to visit the Queen Salote Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences at Tonga National University to be part of the accreditation team for the new Advanced Diploma of Nursing. The Tonga National University is only a year old so that this program accreditation is a landmark development.
This visit provided an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. Collaborations for nursing education across the Pacific are pivotal in advancing nursing expertise in the region.
Prof Di Brown with staff and students at Tonga National University
