BASIC (A) STREAM STUDENTS

Professional practice learning begins with NURSING 1I02 as students are introduced to patient assessment, communication, and intervention skills in the clinical laboratory. Students begin to develop an understanding of the role of the nurse, the scope of nursing practice, and explore the nursing profession. In NURSING 1J02, students continue to build the foundation for professional practice developing skills in health assessment (including head to toe assessment of the healthy individual), obtaining a health history, and documenting findings. Students must demonstrate the skills necessary to deliver safe, professional nursing care to healthy, stable clients in the clinical laboratory.

 BASIC (A) STREAM STUDENTS

In NURSING 2L03 and NURSING 2P03 students engage in professional practice to develop an understanding of self as a nurse. The principles of evidence-informed decision making provide the foundation for development of basic care skills. While participating in labs, simulation and professional practice experiences, students explore and apply relevant concepts and theories and begin to understand the influence of diversity on patient care. Students have an opportunity to apply critical inquiry skills and engage in the beginning stages of clinical reasoning/clinical judgment skills in the care of their patients. In the professional practice setting, students develop professional relationships with patients, families and other health care professionals. Students begin to appreciate ethical issues within professional practice and explore how the knowledge learned in supporting courses can be applied to patient care.

The placement options for Level II occur in inpatient settings, including medical and surgical wards.

BASIC (A) STREAM, BASIC-ACCELERATED (F) STREAM, AND POST-RPN (E) STREAM STUDENTS

Nursing 3X04 and 3Y04 are professional nursing practice courses that provide the opportunity to implement clinical reasoning in care of individuals using a person centered approach that integrates concepts and theory from nursing, biological, behavioural and social sciences. With a focus on nursing interventions, theses courses address a broad range of clinical skills including scientific and humanistic caring, clinical and ethical decision making, critical thinking and inter-professional communication and practice. Responsibility for own professional growth through self-direction and self-evaluation is demonstrated through analysis of own role and function as a learner, caregiver and professional in the broader health care system.

The placement options for Level III fall into two broad categories:

1. Medical/Surgical
2. Varied Nursing Contexts

Where possible, a student who is assigned to a placement from the first category in Term 1 will then be placed in a setting from the second category for Term 2, and vice versa.

It is important to note that while in a Medical/Surgical, Maternal Child, or Mental Health setting, students are supervised directly by their Clinical Tutor. In other Varied Nursing Context settings, however, students may have a Preceptor (a staff nurse employed by the placement setting). In the latter case, students meet regularly with their Professional Practice Tutor to review their progress with respect to achieving the course objectives.

BASIC (A) STREAM, BASIC-ACCELERATED (F) STREAM, AND POST-RPN (E) STREAM STUDENTS

Consistent with the goal of the BScN Program to provide a general baccalaureate education to prepare nurses for a variety of professional practice settings, the theme of Level 4 is enactment of the nursing role. The emphasis is placed upon the student’s clinical competencies and professional accountability and responsibilities as a member of a health care team.

NURSING 4J07 and NURSING 4K10 focus on the integration of research and application of theory and concepts to clinical practice, including the introduction to the leadership role in patient care. Students are individually placed in a variety of contexts, where they are actively involved in the enactment of the nursing role. These courses consist of professional practice with direct supervision by a clinical preceptor in a clinical setting with indirect supervision by a nursing faculty member.

Students have an opportunity to indicate preferences for professional practice placements but final clinical placement assignment will be determined by the BScN Program. Clinical placements are available in acute care, community (including public health), and specialized settings.

Some of the things you will learn:

• what it is like to work alongside international nurses, physicians, and other professionals from a variety of backgrounds and heath care paradigms.
• health care inequities across Canada, particularly remote and norther communities
• cross-cultural communication and cultural safety
• nursing processes and strategies when funding and resources are variable
• what Primary Health Care looks like at its furthest reach and truest expression
• participation in vibrant and struggling communities
• how many assumptions you carry and how difficult it is to critically examine them
• how beautiful and challenging your chosen career can be

The following sections of the website will give prospective and current students in the BScN Program (McMaster, Mohawk, and Conestoga sites) the tools they need to decide whether this placement is right for them.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide our BScN students with the highest quality of educational experience in a global (international and/or intercultural) setting.

Our History

McMaster University has consistently been a leader in supporting Nursing students in extended international and/or intercultural educational experiences. Almost 40 years ago, McMaster was already a world-renowned School of Nursing boasting a brand-new learning style called “Problem-Based Learning.” Courageous innovation was in the air. A small group of scholars, including McMaster BScN professors Basanti Majumdar, Barbara Carpio, Anne Ehrlich, and Michael Ladouceur, identified the need for also emphasizing global health in nursing education. Catching the fresh winds of the World Health Organization’s Declaration of Alma Ata (1978), these colleagues initiated and developed an unprecedented program of study that offered an immersive experience in Primary Health Care in resource-constrained environments. There was power here for transformative learning. In 1984, their strategy came to life and they sent their first students abroad.

Since then, different faculty and staff at the McMaster School of Nursing have facilitated the placements of hundreds of students in more than 25 countries worldwide and in 6 provinces and 3 northern Territories in Canada. Through our collaborative partnerships with Mohawk College and Conestoga College, we now have three sites extending this exciting opportunity to BScN students.

Students considering a Canadian or International health placement opportunities must give careful consideration to the benefits and the risks of the commitment. These placements can offer very rich and unique experiences but are not independent of the geographical areas they take place in (which can be similar to, or very different from our catchment area). Students must make an informed decision when pursuing a global health placement and thoroughly research their intended destination to understand culture, social norms, weather, potential natural disasters, evacuation plans, prevalent disease, required vaccinations or prophylactic medications, living conditions, internet capability, costs, and entry to country requirements. It is equally important to consult Government of Canada Travel and Tourism for travel advice and advisories, embassies and consulates, emergency assistance abroad, registration for Canadians traveling abroad etc. International students may also need to consult official requirements of their home country. Thorough preparation will help promote a safe and healthy experience.

Questions to consider:

• What do you hope to gain, learn, or give? How do you expect this experience will influence your career?
• Do you want to challenge yourself with a unique and professionally enriching opportunity?
• Which setting do you primarily want to experience: hospital, clinic, community,or public health?
• Do you want to learn about diseases or health problems that aren’t found in Southern Ontario?
• Do you hope to gain experience in a different culture, language, or population than your own?
• Is there a specific culture, language, or other population group with whom you wish to work?
• Does the setting you are interested in have the necessary people and infrastructure to support your learning activities and to meet the course objectives?
• Have you spoken with someone who has worked in the setting or one similar to where you want to go?
• What personal strengths and challenges will you take to this placement?
• Do you have the financial resources or a financial plan to participate?

Note: The application process for International Professional Practice is extensive to ensure suitable candidates, promote safety and provide a quality experience to our students and placement partners. Students should research their location of interest and take the necessary steps to promote safety such as: vaccination requirements and safety concerns in their country of choice.

Review the steps involved in obtaining a Canadian or International placement.

STEP 1: CREATE YOUR APPLICATION PROFILE

Your profile will consist of the following documents:

A) Letter of Interest
B) Resume

A) LETTER OF INTEREST

Develop a letter of interest, addressing the following points:

• Geographic preference and rationale for a Northern or Global Placement
• Clinical Area of Interest, including Knowledge of the health system are care needs of the patient population
• Describe your plan to prepare for this experience including: course work, knowledge of the nursing role in this health/geographic context, potential facilitators/barriers for learning

This letter of should be:

• 3-page maximum
• Addressed to bscnad@mcmaster.ca

B) RESUME

• Your resume must be no more than two pages
• The Student Success Center has many references to help students write strong resumes: https://www.msumcmaster.ca/employment/crafting-a-resume

C) Letter of Reference

• Submit a letter reference from a recent clinical tutor

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

September 15  for Winter term.

January 15 for Spring/Summer term

Please save all  documents listed above in one PDF file using the following file name template: ‘Canadian or International Health Placement Application – YEAR – YOUR NAME’.

Email file to bscnad@mcmaster.ca  with subject line “Canadian or International Health Placement Application – YOUR NAME”

STEP 2: THE INTERVIEW

In this interview, we will review your application, including interests, goals and attributes for success.

STEP 3: ACADEMIC RECORD

1. A GPA of 8.0 from all mandatory HTHSCI/NURSING courses in Levels II and III (Basic Stream; and  Levels II  Level III (Post RPN Stream); Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms Level III (Accelerated)
2. A grade of ‘P’ (Pass) in all Professional Practice NURSING courses
3. A minimum grade of C- in NURSING 3NI3

If you have been accepted to participate in a Canadian or International Professional Practice Placement,   please follow the steps below.

STEP 1: RISK & LIABILITY

• Liability Agreement between yourself and McMaster University. Original, hard-copy must be submitted. Found under “Forms” section.

STEP 2: TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION

The following will need to be submitted in Avenue to Learn (ATL) well in advance of your departure.

• Copy of your travel itinerary
• Proof of private medical insurance
• List of emergency contacts in Canada
• Information where you can be contacted while in your placement (address, phone, e-mail)

RISK MANAGEMENT FORMS (SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS ONLY PLEASE)

These forms are essential in order for McMaster to release a student to go on field trips, research activities and student placements. They will also help you consider a variety of risks you are taking on as you plan your global health placement.

• Risk Management Manual (RMM) 801 Planning and Approval Program (Read the entire form, then complete and submit pages 11 – 15 on Avenue to Learn)
• Risk Management Manual (RMM) 801 Program Guidelines (Read this entire form as well. Read, check off, and initial relevant items on pages 4 -15, then submit on Avenue to Learn)
• Liability Agreement (Print and complete this form in hard copy, sign it, and submit to Michelle Buchner. Refer to dates listed under Successful Applicant tab)
• Participant Waiver Agreement (Long Form) (Read and complete this form and submit on Avenue to Learn)
• Recording Release Form (Standard AV release. In case you submit your photos or videos for any of our Canadian or International Health materials we will have this completed).

There are a number of scholarships and bursaries available to students who are completing a placement in Canada or abroad.

Refer to the links below:

• The Awards Offices at each of our program sites (they have lists with criteria)
• Your site’s School of Nursing (McMaster University, Conestoga College or Mohawk College)
• The CNO
• The RNAO
• Nursing students’ organizations
• Rotary Club
• Faith-based organizations

LINKS

• International Student Services (ISS)
• Scholarships (awardspring.ca)
• Financing Your Future at Mohawk College
• Financial Aid & Awards at Conestoga College

Availability of placements is dependent on our placement partners. Please note all placements must be initiated by and arranged through the Placement Office.

The following are potential placements where students have been placed in previous years.

Note: The placement must be safe for Canadians to travel to.