We’re so happy that Cape Breton University (CBU) decided to join our nursing abroad project to Peru and here’s a snippet of their adventure!
CBU nursing group arrived at Halifax Stanford International Airport en route to Lima then Cusco, Peru!
Exploration commence!
Before they started their nursing placements at local clinics, they had the weekend to explore the city. They had an opportunity to learn about the Inca and Quechua peoples culture and their way of living. They also explored SacSayWaman, an Inca architecture of the imperial city of Cusco and even got to meet adorable alpacas!
“Our first stop was in a city named Chinchero at Centro textil Lluvia. Here we met some wonderful ladies who showed us about cleaning and colouring of different wools.” – Austin Chapman
Look at that alpaca’s smile!
Group picture at the county’s agriculture and cultivation lands!
Read More: Alison’s Journey as a Mental Health Volunteer in Peru
A sneak peek to nursing abroad
On their first day of work at the local clinics, the group of 22 split into two teams. This is what they had to say about their hands-on experience as nurses volunteering at the health clinic, particularly for the public of lower socioeconomic status.
Austin in a well child assessment clinic with a new mother.
“I (Austin) was in a well child assessment, Sonya Wambolt was in the other child assessment clinic. We measured height, weight, length, head circumferences of some children, their temperature and their Apical heart rate. One thing we both found interesting was that the patients/ patients parents bring all of the paper work and information with them. They carry the growth charts, medication info, developmental info (Nipissing), and etc with them to the appointments. The nurses provided education to patients and showed them how the growth charts work or what they mean.”
Kelsey Muller placed in general medicine with doctor ‘Junior’.
“I spent my day with “junior” and learned documentation — which I did all morning. I was able to perform exams, help with diagnosis, and do hands on skills such as taking blood pressures, throat inspections, auscultating lung sounds, etc. A lot of diagnosis were seen such as bronchitis, conjunctivitis, abnormal bone growth in 10 month old legs, mosquito bite which turned into dengue (infection).”- Kelsey Muller
Day 2 at the clinic
Megan and Hannah Mackeigan getting things ready to do some dressings.
“During clinical, students had the opportunity to help present a nutrition education session to a daycare full of anemic children and their parents. As well, students were working one on one with the doctors in their offices, and again working in the pediatric clinic. Students also had the opportunity to help get supplies ready for the wound clinic, and help clean and dress different kinds of wounds.” – Hannah Gartland
Jean assisting the registered nurse (RN) with cleaning a wound. She helped washed the wound with hand soap and water (according to their best practice techniques) she helped the RN “debride” the wound and added a Vaseline type cream/ointment and then helped them redress the wound.
Austin shared a little more of what some of the clinical work they were doing. “Jean and James were placed in a procedure room/ambulatory care. In this part of the clinic there is an American Nurse named Adam; he was able to translate a bit and help them communicate with other healthcare providers and patients. They had also seen an older couple with 4 venous leg ulcers caused by the altitude creating cardiomegaly.”
Read about other volunteer projects: Volunteer Experience In Cuzco, Peru
The group learned from various medical cases and the nursing students got to rotate to different placements from pediatrics, dental, ambulatory care, and obstetrics. Besides that, the team also paid a visit to an all-girls orphanage.
Four students accompanied the dentist to help teach teeth-brushing, flossing, and check-ups. Three other students assessed the girls at a station that measures the girls’ heights, weights, and waist circumferences. 6 students performed eye-testing using the Snellen eye chart at two different stations. – Morgan Edwards
A fruitful week
When you’re nursing abroad (no matter which country you’re in) , there might be some language barrier. That’s why United Planet arrange for language lessons to deepen the connection with the people.
I believe it was a mixture of having the three Spanish lessons, being in Peru for a few days now and the fact that medial jargon does not change much, even when spoken in a different language. – Austin Chapman and Hannah Gartland
Some nurses placed in a daycare taught the kids and their parents about healthy eating habits. They also played with the kids and helped make a healthy snack and fed them if needed.” – Hannah Gartland
At the end of the work week, they ended their trip by heading to Machu Picchu!
Cape Breton and CBU takes on Machu Picchu (the city in the Clouds)!
Volunteer now if you’re a healthcare and medical professional and get the exposure of nursing abroad under your belt of experiences! You can also check out our Global Health Projects if you might not have a medical degree.
Picture credit: Austin Chapman and read more on their day-to-day journey in depth on his blog!
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
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