13 March 2019
Two midwifery students from Ohio have joined Jersey’s Midwifery Department as part of an international exchange programme.
This is the first year an international exchange has been made possible in Jersey in partnership with the University of Chester, where Jersey midwifery students go to study the theory aspect of their course. The exchange project is currently self-funded and offers a beneficial exchange of practice methods, which is important in the evaluation and reflection of current midwife practice.
The American exchange students arrived on Saturday 9 March and will be gaining practical experience in Jersey’s Maternity Unit for a one-week placement.
The placement follows two Jersey students who went to Ohio as part of an exchange in 2017. Jersey was then assessed for its suitability to host an international exchange programme and has since resulted in this year’s exchange.
Julie Mycock, Head of Midwifery said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity to create a link between practices in the US and Jersey through welcoming the two students. This venture has been facilitated by senior midwife Jan Hickie and has been supported by our resident midwives who have shown their commitment to actively engaging with the scheme and appreciating its benefits. I would like to thank staff and students for helping make this innovative project a success.”
Jersey’s midwifery course which was set up by Head of Education Julie Mesny in conjunction with the University of Chester offers two to three placements per year, aims to support and recruit local students interested in a career to encourage longer retention of local staff at Jersey General Hospital.
Chief Nurse, Rose Naylor said: “It’s important we encourage our local students to continue to work in Jersey after graduating. It would be easy to lose staff to the UK if they were to form meaningful ties with their UK-based hospitals, so it’s fundamental the practical service and support we offer on our Midwifery Department locally is advantageous for staff as well as patients. Projects like the exchange programme offer an innovative and collaborative environment where students can thrive from the experience. ”
The exchange students will meet with Julie Mycock, Rose Naylor and Jan Hickie later in the week and talk about their experiences of working in Jersey. Their feedback will help inform and develop further exchange visits in the future.
gov.je