My Experience of Group Study Exchange

What a fantastic experience it was, spending four weeks in South Carolina as part of a team of four Healthcare Professionals and a Rotarian team leader who returned just over a week ago as very good friends.

The southern hospitality, warm welcomes and being made to feel a part of so many families was surreal. My new friends (extended family) have been able to keep in touch since my return with facebook, e.mail and hopefully in the future the odd visit.

Now that i am back at work my enthusiasm to implement changes that i have observed whilst in the USA is immense. I have had the opportunity to have several conversations with my manager who was a great support to me prior to this trip and is as keen to listen to my ideas as i am to talk.

A few interesting differences in the hospital facilities which i am sure could be a success here!!! were the valet parking, the spacious private rooms with en-suite facilities and and flat screen TV's on the walls. The phrase 5* hotels came to mind several times, during our visits.

Customer care played a vital role in the nurses day, the 10-2 rule was outstanding if you are in a corridor and within 10ft of someone you acknowledge them i.e a smile if you are within 2ft you speak i.e. good morning etc. Each nurse i spoke to felt they were valued by the hospital management and was proud to be a nurse within their hospital.

We were very privileged to be able meet with the Chief Executive Officers and the Directors (Matron's) of each department in the hospital and to share our healthcare systems. To meet with our counterparts in the USA and to be able to share our profession ensured that they learnt from us as much as we learnt from them and this we both found to be an immensely valuable experience.

This opportunity took me out of my comfort zone. The confidence, team building and leadership skills i have gained will have a positive impact on my career, personal and professional development. This Exchange is definitely a once-in-a-life time opportunity that i would promote and recommend to any young professional.