Community engagement placement in East Timor: The transforming impact on nursing students

This paper will discuss the conduct of a clinical nursing practice subject to provide students the opportunity to further develop clinical skills and techniques through integration of their learning in simulated and supervised care of individuals. The students were able to relate a range of socially determined health issues with how they are experienced by clients in the community. Professional and ethical behaviour that acknowledges the dignity, culture, values, beliefs and rights of people in a volunteer setting was emphasized. It allowed the students to reflect critically upon the degree of transformation that has occurred in themselves through their community engagement experience.