Virtual Nursing Education Goes International

The first international trial of the VNE learning management system has commenced in Sri Lanka in association with SriLankaehealth.com. Twenty-two nurses from Sri Jayawardenpura Hospital in Colombo have volunteered to participate in the trial.

Nirmal Perera of SriLankaehealth.com, has arranged access to a Ceylinco computer training room to conduct the trial. To date, the nurses have been working on two e-learning modules, viz., Drug Calculations and Basic Life Support Skills. Apart from a couple of minor glitches which were quickly resolved by our IT Manager, Sam Giandzi, the project has been proceeding very smoothly.We have received some very helpful feedback which will enhance the international delivery of VNE. Several nurses have requested further information on calculating drug dosage according to body weight. Apparently, the dosage guidelines for Australian patients may not always be appropriate for their lighter Sri Lankan counterparts. We have also been requested to build in a facility for nurses to communicate with one another when working on VNE modules. A communication system for nurses has been on our agenda for sometime, but is clearly essential for international clients.While recognising that our group of volunteers may not be representative of nurses in Sri Lanka, it is nevertheless heartening to witness their enthusiasm for e-learning. As one nurse commented:”Thank you very much for presenting this valuable programme for Sri Lankan nurses like us. It is very easy to approach and helped to brush up our knowledge.”We thank all those nurses from Sri Jayawardenpura Hospital for agreeing to participate in the trial. Nirmal Perera has worked tirelessly to ensure the trial run as smoothly as possible. Well done, Nirmal. And thanks to Rohan Sirisena, Assistant General Manager, Ceylinco Internet Services, for providing the computer training facilities for the project.We are confident that the VNE can make a significant contribution to the professional development of nurses on an international scale.