My name is Rachael and I am going to Malawi to work with VSO as a paediatric practice development nurse. I will be working in Mzuzu hospital.

Where will I be working??

Mzuzu Central is a government referral hospital for district and CHAM hospitals in the northern region of Malawi. It also serves as a training hospital for practical experience for some disciplines of Health Professionals going through training at St. John’s College of Nursing, Mzuzu University, Kamuzu College of Nursing in Lilongwe and Ekwendeni Nursing School. Mzuzu Central Hospital has male and female surgical wards, male and female medical wards, paediatric ward, isolation ward (for patients with TB), nutrition rehabilitation unit, OPD and emergency unit, theatre, ICU, eye hospital for outpatient and in patient care which also does minor eye operations, dental hospital and physiotherapy unit. There is an HIV/AIDS centre called the Rainbow Clinic. There is a Maternity unit with labour ward for high-risk labour, antenatal and postnatal ward with kangaroo care unit and antenatal clinic. The hospital has a main laboratory for on site tests and blood bank for donating blood for in patients. There is a radiology unit for X rays and ultrasound scanning. The total in patient capacity for Central hospital is 322 beds.

What will I be doing?? 

Objective 1: Support the improvement of paediatric patient care by ensuring excellent nursing practice throughout the ward - this will include improving documentation, developing policies and procedures, establishing preceptorship and mentorship for staff, developing a skills lab for paediatrics and participate in the review and management of cases in the paediatrics ward and the under five clinics!!

Objective 2: Support Delivery of Paediatrics Nursing CPD - support paediatric nursing staff appraisals and self evaluation for improved learning and professional development of qualified staff, problem based learning, facilitate the development of peer support group.

Duties and responsibilities will involve some capacity building (at least 50% of the time) and some direct delivery of services. Other responsibilities will include:

* Provide on job training for nursing staff in paediatrics ward

* Delivery of nursing care and nursing activities in the paediatrics ward

* Participate in paediatrics departmental/ward meetings

* Participate in the review and management of cases in the paediatrics ward and the under five clinics

* Support diagnosis and management of childhood diseases.

* Support smooth communication and cooperation with staff – nurses, doctors, clinical officers and interns

* Develop paediatric protocols and procedures that are not available in the department

* Reinforce use of existent and new paediatrics nursing protocols and procedures

Some may call me crazy but this is going to be an amazing experience.

I am hoping to raise £900 to help fund further VSO volunteers to go overseas.