Nursing in the Developed and Developing World

The School of Nursing & Midwifery, through ‘Nursing in the Developed and Developing Worlds’ offers students a service learning exploration, either in Ireland or abroad, on how aspects of culture influence the health of individuals as well as the delivery of health care. The module is delivered through 25 hours of theoretical content plus up to four weeks placement in a national or international setting. Predominantly students have chosen to undertake their service learning in Africa, namely Ghana, Zambia and Kenya. During their service learning experience students have worked with local communities in health outreach clinics, Leprosy clinics and in hospices caring for HIV clients. Students explore the concept of culture in its broadest sense, including ethnicity, professional and informal care delivery, Western and other approaches to health care, and how cultural differences can affect the healthcare professional in everyday practice.