Photo credit: Marilyn Gendek FACN
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is delighted to announce we have partnered with Jon Baines Tours to create a new and exciting nursing study tour to South Africa in June 2020. The tour explores the best of both worlds by combining the incredible, untapped natural beauty of South Africa with professional visits to hospitals and clinics. We caught up with tour leader Marilyn Gendek FACN, Chair of our History Community of Interest, to discuss the incredible sight-seeing, professional and networking opportunities the tour offers.
Explore the majestic South African wilderness
South Africa is famous for its amazing wildlife and natural beauty. Marilyn described this as a key highlight of previous trips to the country and she has seen a wide range of animals in their natural habitat including zebras, antelopes, chameleon, elephants, buffalos, hippos and warthogs. “It was particularly special to view these animals from ground level whilst bush walking, as well as from a safari van,” she said.
The nursing study tour travels through the safari country of country of Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park, along the famous Panorama Route. You will have the chance to view the ‘big five’ animals from an open top safari. To top it all off, the tour finishes in beautiful Cape Town which is renowned for its incredible beaches and cliff faces. The natural beauty of South Africa is truly an unmissable experience.
Learn about the South African health care system
The tour also offers many opportunities to learn about the South African health care system. Marilyn is particularly interested in observing the public and private hospitals the tour will visit, including how they differ in leadership opportunities, the main health care problems of patients and resource allocation.”I am also excited to talk to South African nurses about how they engage with the community and their professional organsiation,” she said.
There are multiple professional visits to learn about the principles of nursing care in South Africa. You will visit a local clinic within a Shangaan village, see the voluntary medical work at Tintswalo Hospital and meet with Students at the University of Cape Town Nursing School. This will provide you with a valuable global perspective on the important issues which impact international health care.
Enhance your personal and professional development
Attending a nursing study tour has many great professional benefits and looks fantastic on your resume! Marilyn stressed that “the CPD aspects of the trip should not be forgotten”. She also highlighted it will provide a “great chance for nurses to share their knowledge with a global audience” and to gain new knowledge about the nursing profession which they can take back to their own workplaces.
The tour is fully accredited, and you will receive valuable CPD hours. In addition, the professional visits allow time for you to meet with local nurses and nursing students. This is a great time to gain some new nursing knowledge and expand your professional network. Who knows, maybe you will return to South Africa to work one day!
Has this article made you excited to go on a South African nursing adventure? Lucky for you, ACN members receive an exclusive $100 discount. Visit https://www.jonbainestours.com.au for more information.
