National Association of School Nurses Delegation to the United Arab Emirates
May 26- June 2, 2023
Please note- Specific meetings and facility visits will be determined based on the goals and topics of discussion defined by the delegation leader and the UAE organizing committee. Delegation members will be asked to complete a Professional profile and offer suggested topics of discussion. The final schedule of activities will reflect the composition of the delegation.
Day 1 (Saturday, May 27, 2023) Arrival Abu Dhabi
Welcome to United Arab Emirates. On arrival at Abu Dhabi International Airport, you will be meet and greeted by your National Guide outside the baggage hall area at the airport and transfer to hotel, the Radisson Blu Abu Dhabi Corniche. Delegates arrive throughout the day and evening.
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven Emirates and the Federal capital of the United Arab Emirates. A well-planned modern city with several high-rise buildings, impressive palaces, beautiful corniches, and architectural mosques.
Day 2 (Sunday, May 28, 2023) Abu Dhabi: Cultural day
Today tour the historic sites of Abu Dhabi. Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi to date. Then a panoramic tour of the Emirates Palace, President’s Palace, the Old Fort, built in the late 19th century, making it the oldest buildings in town. Then explore the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village. At the eastern end of the Corniche, near the port, lies Abu Dhabi’s fish market and dhow wharf, offering an excellent view of the city’s skyline.
In the evening, program opening and orientation.
Day 3 (Monday, May 29, 2023) Abu Dhabi: Professional Day and transfer to Dubai
Morning meeting with nursing faculty at Fatima College of Health Sciences. Established in 2006, the Fatima College of Health Sciences aims to meet the United Arab Emirates growing need for skilled healthcare professionals. The college started by offering the BSc. in Nursing program in 2006 and has, since then expanded to offer more than ten advanced degree programs.
Topics of Discussion:
- Health Education Curriculum
- Health and Education Agencies – regulations Nursing education programs, standards, and continuing education, specifically focusing on the skills necessary for addressing the needs of children in schools.
- International education and training models deployed in the UAE schools of Nursing and in practice in the education sector.
- The cultural and clinical practice differences between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, including how UAE exchanges medical programs around the globe.
Visit to an Elementary School to meet with the School Nursing Director and staff. Observe their intake and evaluation processes.
Late afternoon transfer to Dubai, Crowne Plaza Jumeirah.
Day 4 (Tuesday, May 30, 2023) Abu Dhabi: Professional Day
Dr. Sumaya Mohamed AlBlooshi, the Director of Nursing, UAE Ministry of Health, and Prevention (MOHP)/ Emirates Health Services (EHS) will officially welcome the delegation.
MOHP/EHS representatives will:
- Provide an overview of role of Emirates nurses, international nurses, the structure for plans to advance the field of nursing in the UAE.
- Discuss the role of nurses in healthcare policy and public health initiatives.
- Share the plans for implementing the UAE National Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery, and the impact on the role of school nurses.
- Learn about the cooperative structure between the EHS and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure access to care through highly skilled school nurse.
Delegates will participate in a networking lunch with representatives from EHS, Dubai Health MOE and leaders from the schools the delegation will visit in Dubai.
Day 5 (Wednesday, May 31, 2023) Abu Dhabi-Dubai: Cultural Day
This morning Drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, and then tour the city of Dubai. Start with a photo stop at the Dubai Creek, the lifeblood of Dubai. Then we will drive through the Bastakiya, Al Fahidi Fort, Ruler’s Court, Old Mosque, Textile Street, Central Bank, Ministry of Finance, and the Heritage Village.
Later we will head towards Jumeirah Road, passing by the Dry Docks Dubai & the Historical Union House with photo stops at the beautiful and famous Jumeirah Mosque, the world’s tallest 7-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. We will then enter the Palm Jumeirah, an archipelago of artificial islands, which extends into the Persian Gulf. The Palm View Observatory gives an eagle eye view or the land reclamation project. From there, travel to City Side & pass by the Tallest Building in the whole world, Burj Khalifa as you head to the Sheikh Palace area. Finish with a visit to the Gold souq and spice souq.
Day 6 (Thursday, June 1, 2023) Dubai: Professional Day
Today we will visit elementary and middle schools, in small groups to facilitate on-site observations and discussions. The teams will observe school nurses in practice. Following we will meet with the school nursing staff and administrators to discuss observations and lessons learned.
Topics of Discussion:
- School Nursing Practice – model, data collection, chronic health conditions, immunizations
- Childrens Health Care- collaboration between school and medical provider/hospital
- Post Covid-19 Pandemic Challenges and best practices
End your professional experiences in the UAE with a wrap up meeting with representatives from EHS, MOE, the Emirates Nursing Association and UAE nursing leaders. Share observations, unexpected surprises, plans for future collaborations.
Day 7 (Friday, June 2, 2023) Dubai – Departure
Today transfer to the airport to connect your flight back home.