Nursing Internships in Arusha

Internship details

This is a perfect internship abroad for nursing students. Interns shadow and assist qualified and experienced nurses in a range of departments within hospitals and clinics in Arusha, Tanzania. Build on your theoretical knowledge and develop real life experiences providing quality care and treatments in a unique healthcare environment.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

Nursing interns in Tanzania get to experience unique nursing care in a regional or community hospital environment in Arusha. You’ll assist under the supervision of an experienced nursing team working across diverse areas of the hospital, allowing you to focus your efforts in one particular healthcare department, or complete a rotation across different specialties. These departments can include:

• General medicine
• Surgery
• Outpatients
• Children’s wards
• Community health
• HIV outpatients

Please let us know in your application if you have a preference for a particular department or area of speciality. Each internship is customized to suit your own skills, experience and interests, so interns are able to request specific departments that you’d like to gain experience in. Placements are subject to availability, though requests are accommodated wherever possible.

Nursing interns can expect to be shadowing and assisting local nurses as they carry out their routine duties. Interns will not be directly responsible for patient care or be given hands-on tasks that you’re unqualified for. However, you will be able to provide assistance where it’s appropriate and learn from a committed and knowledgeable range of medical professionals. Not only will they coach you in regard to patient care and treatments, they will also provide an invaluable bridge between cultures, as you develop your cultural intelligence and learn more about the cultural diversity of Tanzania. Your nursing internship will provide you with valuable learning opportunities in dealing with patients who have a wide range of conditions. You’ll experience different techniques and treatments that might differ from what you may encounter at home.

Nursing interns must prepare to encounter healthcare facilities that are very different from what you may have previously experienced. Many hospitals and clinics in Arusha are under-resourced and under-developed. While this can cause culture shock initially, it also presents a valuable learning experience for you. You’ll be encouraged to consider your supervisor and in-country coordinator as valuable and knowledgeable resources and mentors. They’re in the best position to provide guidance and local context into the needs and challenges of the local community, and will be happy to support your unique learning experience throughout this internship abroad.

Due to the unpredictable nature of patient flow in clinics and hospitals, interns should note that the timing of treatments can be irregular. This means that there will be days which are very busy, as well as slower days, if patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed. You will be welcome to discuss your schedule at all times throughout the internship, should you wish to pick up any extra hours. (This is subject to availability and must always be discussed with your in-country coordinator, who can facilitate any necessary arrangements for you).

This internship is conducted in English. Some patient interactions may be carried out in local languages, but your supervisor will be available to debrief these sessions in English with you afterwards.

Outside of your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to discover for yourself why Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. The country is well-known for nature and adventure tourism, particularly its incredible safaris and wildlife reserves. People come from all over the world to visit Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the golden beaches of Zanzibar. Your in-country internship coordinator will assist you in advance to arrange day trips or longer excursions (such as multi-day safari adventures). If you’re planning your internship in Tanzania, don’t miss the opportunity to schedule an itinerary that incorporates these wonderful, unforgettable attractions.

It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as “Medical” require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.

Career Benefits