CQU Head of Nursing & Health Studies Dr Lorna Moxham has recently returned after representing Australian nurses on behalf of DEST (Department of Education, Science and Training) during a major event in Manila in The Philippines.

Dr Moxham was a speaker for the 47th annual convention of the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN).

She delivered an address on 'Developments in Nursing College management: Australian experience' during a session of 1.5 hours, including questions.

There are 420 Nursing schools in the Philippines and there were 621 delegates at the Convention, including college administrators, deans and faculty members from the nursing education sector.

"This was an exciting opportunity for CQU and was fully funded by DEST," Dr Moxham said. "I opened my speech by talking about the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery of Australia and New Zealand," Dr Moxham said.

"This is a peak body for Nursing and Midwifery Education in Australia and NZ for which I was then an executive member.

"I took the opportunity to speak for the second half by showcasing the Bachelor of Nursing at CQU. I also talked about our School's Competence Assessment Service (CAS). This excited much interest and when I asked what the Philippines' main export was - the answer was nurses!".

In the last 5 years, 10,000 doctors have moved from medicine to nursing as nursing allows them international travel more readily.

Dr Moxham took the opportunity during her visit to meet the Senior Trade Commissioner for Austrade and has since had a follow-up teleconference on his request.

She also met with the Senior Business Development Manager (Austrade), First Secretary - Economic - Australian Embassy, the Principal Immigration Officer - Australian Embassy and the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (International Affairs Service) Director.

"These meetings were very fruitful and could bring many nurses to CQU to undertake our Bachelor of Nursing, and also to go through CAS as it is Australian Nursing registration they want," she said.

"I found everyone to be professional and delightful - such friendly people. The international nursing community is like a big family and mutual respect is very obvious. My visit has offered many opportunities for Nursing at CQU which I hope to be able to progress".