Australian health care system examined by US students

Australia's health care system is being examined by two nursing students on exchange to USQ from Moravian College in the United States of America (USA).

Third-year nursing students Candice Gerber and Christine Fowler from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, are on the Australian-American Nursing Exchange with USQ for four weeks.

The program, established in 1991 by visiting scholar Dr Janet Sipple, aims to give student nurses insight into health care systems of other countries.

Christine, who also works as a nurse's aide in Bethlehem, said the Australian health care system was far more advanced than the USA.

'Yours is a lot more holistic,' she said.

'In the US we lift our patients in their beds, you don't over here. You have ways of moving them on sheets. In terms of the safety and philosophy you guys are far ahead of the game.'

Wanting to be a better nurse was part of the reason she decided to take part in the program.

'I felt like it would be hard to be a good nurse without seeing a broad spectrum of health care systems.'

Originally the exchange program was for registered and enrolled nurses but now it's open to nursing students.

USQ Nursing lecturer Janet Rankin said the program had seen more than 350 students complete the exchange since it began in 1991.

'Annually we've been sending four students for a five-week practicum,' Ms Rankin said.

'It's a sociological study where they can make valid comparisons and leave us with information. We're leaving them with quite a lot as well.'

As part of their visit, the girls have been visiting different sections of USQ's Nursing and Midwifery department including the aged care and indigenous health units. 

They will also spend time at Toowoomba Health Services and St Vincent's Hospital doing clinical placements.

Candice addressed audiences on her experiences as a medic aide in Iraq at the Toowoomba Health Service as part of International Nurses Day on Friday 11 May 2007.

She said she was enjoying the more laid back culture of Australia.

'America is so rush, rush. Here it's so relaxing. In America we have papers and test every day.'

The girls will head to Brisbane for a few days and spend a week travelling before heading home.

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2559