At a glance
- Learn directly from nurses and get practical work experience in medical outreaches.
- You will see a number of different hospital departments and we’ll teach you about various conditions, diseases, and patient care.
- Use your free time to explore the country, hike the Himalayas, or relax with your host family.
Is a Nursing internship in Nepal right for me?
If you love the idea of spending your time in a medical environment abroad and learning from experienced nurses, then this internship is perfect for you. It will give you valuable work experience if you’re planning on a career in nursing.
We have a number of nursing placements in hospitals and are flexible when it comes to your start and end dates. The project runs throughout the year and you can join at any time.
The internship caters for those with experience and those without. No matter which one applies to you, we have a nursing placement that is a great fit for you. Your work is supervised, and a number of hospital staff speak English.
What will I do at my nursing placement in Nepal?
A nursing internship in Nepal is the perfect opportunity to explore your interest in the field, while working in hospitals.
- Shadow experienced nurses during their rounds in busy hospitals
- Rotate through departments on a weekly basis, depending on your interests
- Gain practical work experience during health checks at outreaches
Your work can include these activities:
Shadow nurses on their rounds
Each day, you’ll shadow a nurse or doctor, watching them as they work with patients. You can learn a lot from them through observation! When you see diseases, or a procedure being performed, and you don't understand, you can ask questions. The nurses and doctors will be happy to explain what they're doing and what you're seeing. We encourage you to make extensive notes about the things you learn at the hospital.
Rotate through a variety of medical departments
Besides being able to shadow nurses or doctors, you have the opportunity to see various hospital or clinic departments. Does the paediatrics ward appeal to you? How about the orthopaedic department? Or do you see yourself learning about caring for newborns in a maternity ward? Tap into your specialisation interests as you work your way through various hospital and clinic departments in Nepal.
Help do health checks during outreaches
If organised, you will accompany medical staff to medical outreaches. These are organised by hospital staff outside of monsoon season. Many disadvantaged and rural areas have limited access to regular healthcare services. Free health checks are completed at these outreaches, and basic medication is distributed.
What type of Nursing placements are available in Nepal?
During your nursing internship, you can rotate through the following departments:
- Paediatrics
- Orthopaedics
- Ear, nose & throat
- Basic surgery
- Maternity
- Wound treatment
- The ER
- In-patient and out-patient
This internship is ideal if you want to be exposed to as much as possible during your time in Nepal. Rotate through a variety of departments and specialisations in hospitals and clinics while shadowing local staff. The longer you stay in Nepal, the more likely you are to see a larger number of medical departments.
Based on your interests, we will also help place you in the department of your choice.
Where in the Nepal will I be working?
Kathmandu or Chitwan will be your home for the duration of your nursing internship in Nepal.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu Valley has an estimated population of 3 million people. For disadvantaged people, quality healthcare is a challenge. You will work with professional nurses and doctors at your placement, observing as they help people in need. Many of the hospitals placements where you work in Kathmandu are well-equipped and have a strong team of healthcare professionals.
Chitwan
As one of the larger cities in Nepal, Chitwan is also home to a number of our nursing placements. The lowland area will be your base for the duration of your internship. You might be placed in a private community hospital or teaching hospital for example, all with their own learning opportunities.
With the Himalayan mountain range around the corner, weekends should be about exploring and discovering all Nepal has to offer! Learn about the country’s rich culture, tap into your inner peace during a retreat at a monetary, or eat your way through Nepal’s delicious cuisine.
A typical day on the Nursing Project
Your day starts by getting ready in your host family home and having breakfast. On your way out of the door, you grab your white lab coat, lunch, notebook and bag. On your first day, our staff will be there to show you the way.
Each day, you work between 4-6 hours at the hospital, Monday to Friday.
The supervising nurse will lead you around the hospital, explaining different conditions and answering any questions you have. Do any of the conditions sound similar to ones in your home country? How would they be treated back home? We encourage you to write down your observations in a notebook.
Mornings in the hospital are the busiest hours. In the afternoons, when nurses and doctors are less busy, you can study and spend more time with them. Gain nursing work experience in Nepal by using this time to learn more about the different hospital wards like paediatrics, orthopaedics, maternity, wound treatment, or the Emergency Room.
The end of another busy day at the placement is merely the start of your leisure activities in the evenings, or over the weekends. Relax in your host family home or connect with the global network of interns and volunteers currently in Nepal. You can also explore the country in your free time.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of the project is to give you work experience through observation in a hospital or clinic. This will give you a deeper understanding of how a developing country addresses health issues.
This nursing internship opportunity in Nepal will see you speed walking behind a doctor or nurse. You will watch as patients are tended to, ask questions, and most importantly, boost your medical knowledge.
25% of Nepal’s population is below the poverty line. For people in this category, access to quality medical care is challenging. We offer medical outreaches, to provide free and quality basic healthcare to people who otherwise could not afford it. You will help during these outreaches.
To achieve our long term goals in Nepal, we have Medical Management Plan Goals in place. These are:
- Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promoting an exchange of medical knowledge
- Improve hygiene standards
- Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases
- Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups
Help, learn, explore and gain invaluable nursing work experience in Nepal this year.
Medical electives for students
This project is also perfect for university medical and healthcare elective students. The real-world insight and knowledge you gain will help shape you as a future medical professional. You will also learn to work with different people and get a broader perspective of global healthcare systems and issues. This benefits your career for years to come. We can organise a placement that meets all of your university's requirements.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Our projects work towards clear long-term goals, with specific annual objectives. Every volunteer and intern we send to these projects helps us work towards these goals, no matter how long they spend on our projects.
Every year we take a step back and look at how much progress we've made towards these goals. We put together a Global Impact Report, which documents our achievements. Find out more about the impact our global community of volunteers, interns and staff make, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Nepal. They will welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and have you teach them about your own culture. We believe that this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Nepal and have a truly unique experience.
We will always try to let you live alongside at least one other Projects Abroad volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fee includes three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Leisure activities and free time
When you think of Nepal, the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic Himalayan Mountain Range. This is just one example of the country’s extraordinary natural beauty. Combined with rich cultures, this makes it a unique country to volunteer in and explore.
There are a whole host of ways you can explore the stunning and incredibly varied landscapes of Nepal. You can drive off-road through Chitwan National Park, go biking through Kathmandu Valley, or trek in the foothills of Annapurna.
In the evenings and over weekends, it’s worth taking some time to see the sights in Kathmandu. This includes Durbar Square, where you can stand in the midst of an ancient palace. The towering spectacle of the Boudhanath Stupa is also a must-see.
Nepal is one of our most popular destinations, so there will be many other volunteers in the country with you during your trip. This gives you the freedom to spend your leisure time either exploring alone or in a group.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have the support you need to enjoy your trip with peace of mind. Our Projects Abroad staff are available 24 hours a day to help, and will be on hand to make sure you settle in well at your accommodation and placement. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
This placement is fully researched, safety audited, and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.
Meet the team in Nepal
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