Nursing elective placements in Nepal, South Asia

In Nepal, families provide much of the bedside care - including meals and clean bedding. Wards have a lack of facilities and nurses will need to use manual skills instead of relying on modern facilities to provide care.

Government hospital - Our placements are based in the largest Government subsidised institution in the area, offering busy wards and an outpatients clinic that sees up to 700 people a day. Communication can be difficult, as although many supervisors speak English, most patients do not. Nepali lessons are provided at the Work the World house, and for proactive students there is scope to get involved in General Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Emergency, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Maternity departments.

Private hospitals - We work with a number of medium to large private hospitals that offer increased patient care and treatment for those Nepalese that can afford to pay the sometimes minimal costs involved. The level of English is generally better than in the Government hospital and there are more opportunities to specialise in areas that are not available to the public sector. Many private hospitals also function as teaching centres, so there are some excellent learning opportunities in general medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Cardiology, minor and major surgery, Orthopaedics and Emergency. There is also a chance to work in the only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the area or in a specialist eye hospital.

Church funded hospitals - We have a good relationship with a church funded project that offers leprosy and neurorehabilitation. It is incredibly popular and can only take one or two students.

Don't forget - if your preferred speciality is not listed, give us a call as we can usually accommodate most requests. You could also think about other opportunities to make more of your elective:

Split placements - If you have four weeks or more it is definitely worthwhile thinking about splitting an elective in Nepal. The social system really does affect the level of care patients can receive and spending time in both Government and private hospitals will give you a better understanding of Nepalese healthcare as a whole. 

Village healthcare experience - To compliment your city placement, we offer a fantastic opportunity to travel to a rural village in the mountains where you will spend a week working at a local health post helping to deliver primary healthcare to the community. There is a midwife on call, and if you are lucky enough to be around when she is called out, you may be able to assist. You will learn about village life, living with a family and spending afternoons with your guide getting involved in traditional ways of life. Read more on our Nepal Village Healthcare Experience page.