Students reflect on study

THE Covid-19 presents one of the most complex challenges the region faces right now.
Now, imagine being a nurse on the frontline of PNG’s health response.
These difficult times, however, are an opportunity for nursing students to reflect on their choice of study, the demanding nature of this profession and the need to utilise their learnings to benefit their communities.
Nursing student Steven Johnson is one of 10 scholars currently studying at the Lae School of Nursing under the Australia Awards and Newcrest partnership programme.
Johnson said the Covid-19 had reaffirmed his decision to do his best in his studies and to be able to contribute to vital health service delivery when he joins the workforce.
“The experience and challenges of the Covid-19 has in a way shown me what to expect and how to respond as a nurse in such situations in the future,” he said.
The pandemic pushed him to be more health conscious and keen to extend awareness on the Covid-19 to his family and friends.
Fellow nursing student in second-year Alice Jungai is not waiting to be working to apply her skills and knowledge – she too is extending awareness to family members and friends.
“I understand that as a nurse, I will be at the frontline attending to patients but I can get started at home,” she said.
“Observing the Covid-19 developments during this time has put me in a situation where I am doing awareness at home.
“For example, a relative recently asked me for advice on how to avoid contracting the disease and my response was basic preventative measures that I had learnt in school, such as practicing respiratory hygiene, washing or sanitising hands regularly, practicing social distancing and covering your mouth and nose when around people or avoiding crowded places.”
Johnson and Jungai will join the ranks of more than 40 students who have received support to take up nursing and midwifery training through funding from the Australian government-Newcrest Mining partnership.
The majority of graduates are now contributing to Papua New Guinea’s workforce and essential service delivery, which highlights the value of partnerships with the private sector to PNG’s development achievements.