RDP’s Practical Nursing student benefits from international opportunity

Through the RDP Abroad Practical Nursing Experience in St. Lucia, Dianne De Ferrari has received unique career and life-enhancing global experiences.  

While recently immersed in the Caribbean culture, Dianne developed personal and professional skills that complement the Practical Nurse Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic.  

“This experience has helped me in several ways, including to further develop my health promotion skills in an international setting,” says Dianne, who took four Health Promotion courses throughout the two-year RDP Practical Nurse Diploma. “Growing these skills has built my confidence and has allowed me to present information in a way that better suits the needs of the people who I support as a practical nurse.”  

While in St. Lucia, Dianne - along with seven peers from RDP - gave presentations to local secondary students about health and well-being.  

“During my presentation on self-esteem, the students were engaged with the content which made me proud,” adds Dianne. “Their reactions showed that my presentation was making a real impact.” 

Dianne, her peers and two RDP employees, also participated in sessions about trauma and non-communicable diseases and they interacted with community members, sharing information about nutrition at a farmers’ market.  

“My most memorable moment was attending the farmers’ market,” says Dianne, who graduated from the Practical Nurse program in 2023. “I was able to speak with many local farmers in their element. With the ability to connect with them after I attended health-related sessions, we were able to learn from each other and continue building positive relationships.”  

Dianne and all participating RDP learners received non-credit, academic recognition in Intercultural Health Promotion and Leadership, along with a wealth of global experiences that will help them in their future endeavours.   

“Learning about other cultures in an international setting provided me skills to assist the needs of the communities that I serve and support,” says Dianne. 

While the organized activities for Dianne and her peers in St. Lucia were connected to learning outcomes, there were opportunities for them to visit local attractions, such as Soufriere Bay, Toraille Waterfall and Sulphur Springs, in their spare time.  

“I believe travel is important for self-growth,” says Dianne, who is working as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the Red Deer Regional Hospital. “It provides an opportunity to participate in unique activities and learn things about a country that you won’t find in a textbook.”  

In addition to the RDP Abroad Practical Nursing Experience in St. Lucia, the Polytechnic also offers the RDP Abroad Biology Experience in Costa Rica for learners enrolled in their third or fourth years of the Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences program. Both RDP Abroad experiences are funded by the Government of Canada’s Global Skills Opportunity. 

The RDP Abroad Biology experience includes a 12-week internship-based opportunity to support research at turtle nesting beaches and a three-week volunteer experience to assist with sea turtle conservation.  

Applications open for the next RDP Abroad Practical Nurse Experience and RDP Abroad Biology Experience in Fall 2023.