[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Oman_nurses.jpg” caption=”A group of nursing graduates from Oman spent two months learning at McMaster’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Ten nursing graduates from Oman are expanding their international experience at McMaster University. The visiting group, which arrived from the Middle East in August, is spending two months experiencing McMaster's signature approach to the integration of academic concepts and clinical nursing practice. They are also observing Canadian nursing practice at various sites of Hamilton Health Sciences and other health institutions.

The program marks the beginning of a new partnership between the School of Nursing, Hamilton Health Sciences and the Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.

“To me it's a beautiful way to mutually explore each other's strengths,” said Basanti Majumdar, the School of Nursing professor who organized the program.

The visiting nurses, all women, graduated in May from Sultan Qaboos University with a BScN, the second class of the university to do so. As a requirement of their degree, they have to complete a two-month internship abroad.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to come to visit Canada and to know about the community here, the people here and know the nursing here,” said Widad Al-Zakwani, a 23-year-old nurse who has an interest in critical care.

The Omani nurses are engaged primarily in acute and critical care settings, with some exposure to palliative, rehabilitation and geriatric settings. Due to Ontario practice regulations, they are learning through observation, Majumdar said.

“Even when we see a patient, we learn so much,” she said, explaining that touch, communication and a watchful eye are critical to nursing.

Exposure to problem-based learning and evidence-based practice — hallmarks of McMaster's Faculty of Health Sciences — is benefiting the visitors, Majumdar said.

Oman is located in southwest Asia and borders the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. A small country of about three million, there were no more than 100 people employed in the health sector before 1970, according to the country's Ministry of Information.

Over the last three decades, Oman has seen tremendous growth in its healthcare services, establishing state-of-the-art facilities around the country. As of 2003, more than 18,500 people were employed by the Ministry of Health.

Majumdar said she hopes to further build the partnership with Sultan Qaboos University. The Omani nurses are interested in establishing a reciprocal exchange program between the two universities.

As ambassadors of their profession, the Omani nurses intend to take what they've learned in Canada back with them to Oman.

“I feel that I can get something from here and take it to my country to improve nursing there,” said Rawya Al-Muqbali, a 23-year-old nurse who is also interested in critical care.