Vanuatu Emergency Nurse Training Program:
Port Vila, Efate.
June/July 19
The PENTP was held in Port Vila in June/July with a diverse group of 18 nurses: The course had nurses from Vila Central Hospital (VCH) ED, Outer Islands nurses from Tanna, Santo and Malekula, two nurses from the clinics in Mele and Erakor and two educators from the Vanuatu College of Nursing Education (VCNE).
The current staffing crisis at VCH ED meant that releasing nurses for the course came with real challenges, so New Zealand MFAT generously flew in an experienced Ni Van ED nurse from Auckland (Philippe Emile-Verrept) as an addition to the team. Philippe worked day shifts in the ED for the duration of the training program and discovered first hand the current struggle to provide adequate staffing at VCH. Often working as the only nurse on his shift, he found that no amount of skills, training and hard work could deliver safe care.
Strong leadership from Dr Vincent Atua at VCH this year has provided a welcome new sense of direction for the emergency department and it is hoped that an increase in staffing and resources will follow. Pacific Emergency Education are proud to be part of this ongoing process and hope to return to Port Vila later this year to train a second group of nurses who can provide support to the ED at VCH and strengthen the emerging development of emergency nursing culture in the Outer Islands.
The course was held three days a week for three weeks, with a final day added in week three for the exams. Between the course days we also spent a half day with the future nurses of Vanuatu - a very enthusiastic and capable group of third year students at VCNE. Hopefully some of them want to join the emergency nursing community when they graduate!
A selection of photos from the training and graduation
