Emma Donohue - Nursing Studies
During my time in Sweden, I gained numerous skills and adapted to new scenarios. I worked in a hospital in Hudiksvall which was a small town up north from Stockholm. It was such an action packed three weeks and I believe myself I got invaluable experience in the hospital environment. I got the opportunity to scrub in and observe various surgery. I got the opportunity to take patients bloods and their blood sugar levels. I was allowed to take and monitor patients vital signs. I got to perform bladder scans on patients and watch cather procedures being put in place. I also got the opportunity to take ECG's on patients. The staff were eager to speak to me in English and often explained the different procedures that a patient was undergoing.
There was a few hard bits that I found difficult during my three weeks as I was working in a cardiac ward and there was a lot of patients very sick. I met with patients that were near the end of their lives and I did witness some people dying which i did find very emotional at times and felt it was difficult for me to empathise with them because I didn't speak their language. All in all it was a successful experience and one I will never forget. I think for me personally my most memorable experience was getting the opportunity to scrub into surgeries something you wouldn't get at home here in Ireland. I think with college being so hectic all time I lost track of the little things in life and learned not to take people for granted as nobody knows whats around the corner or nobody knows what can happen to anyone. I learned to make more time for my loved ones and not take anyone for granted. Working in the hospital environment made me see this more clearly. Life is short and make the most of it with the people you love while you can and for as long as you possibly can.
There was a few hard bits that I found difficult during my three weeks as I was working in a cardiac ward and there was a lot of patients very sick. I met with patients that were near the end of their lives and I did witness some people dying which i did find very emotional at times and felt it was difficult for me to empathise with them because I didn't speak their language. All in all it was a successful experience and one I will never forget. I think for me personally my most memorable experience was getting the opportunity to scrub into surgeries something you wouldn't get at home here in Ireland. I think with college being so hectic all time I lost track of the little things in life and learned not to take people for granted as nobody knows whats around the corner or nobody knows what can happen to anyone. I learned to make more time for my loved ones and not take anyone for granted. Working in the hospital environment made me see this more clearly. Life is short and make the most of it with the people you love while you can and for as long as you possibly can.
Emma Gaynor - Nursing Studies
During my placement, I worked in the acute medical ward and stroke ward. In this ward I got the chance to take part in plenty of practical experiences. I got to take bloods, to check vitals signs daily, to take blood sugar levels, to preform a bladder scan on a patient and sit in during a Gallbladder surgery. I also got the opportunity to watch nursing handovers and to take vital signs and record the results myself.
During my time I learned the importance of communication and patient handling and care. The language barrier was difficult at time but it gave me the chance to work on my non verbal communication skills which I feel was hugely beneficial. I got the chance to watch and shadow a nurse on a daily basis and watch how they interact with patients. I learned how to deal with patients who were nearing the end of their lives, it was the first time I took care of a person at this stage in their lives I was taught how to take certain tests like blood sugar and how to fill out vital sign forms and nursing care plans.
I will take many things away from my experience but the the greatest thing about this placement was the confidence it gave me. It gave me the confidence while interacting with a patient, it gave me the confidence to take bloods and to try new practical skills and it also reassured me that I made the right decision in choosing this future career. It gave me the confidence to know I can do this and I am good at it and I look forward now and it gave me more passion to pursue this career.
During my time I learned the importance of communication and patient handling and care. The language barrier was difficult at time but it gave me the chance to work on my non verbal communication skills which I feel was hugely beneficial. I got the chance to watch and shadow a nurse on a daily basis and watch how they interact with patients. I learned how to deal with patients who were nearing the end of their lives, it was the first time I took care of a person at this stage in their lives I was taught how to take certain tests like blood sugar and how to fill out vital sign forms and nursing care plans.
I will take many things away from my experience but the the greatest thing about this placement was the confidence it gave me. It gave me the confidence while interacting with a patient, it gave me the confidence to take bloods and to try new practical skills and it also reassured me that I made the right decision in choosing this future career. It gave me the confidence to know I can do this and I am good at it and I look forward now and it gave me more passion to pursue this career.
Hannah Glynn - Nursing Studies
What I enjoyed most about my placement in Sweden is being able to work in a different hospital setting, especially in Sweden as Sweden is considered one of the best countries in the world for health care. I loved being able to travel on our days off work this was a great opportunity to gain independence. I have definitely improved on my communication and interpersonal skills as well as gaining in confidence. I also feel like i have made friends for life. this Erasmus+ experience will help me to achieve my future plans as it has definitely clarified that I would like to be a nurse. it has provided me with valuable skills and knowledge for the future both in this field and in life, skills and knowledge I hope to use in university and in my future career. This experience most importantly has helped me gain more confidence.
Martyna Zdzieblowska - Nursing Studies
This placement allowed me to carry our tasks I would not have been able to carry out as a nursing student in Ireland. I got the opportunity to insert catheters, take bloods on small children as well as adults, and carry out ECG tests on patients in the Cardiac Ward. I learned how the Vital Signs different for children and what things are important to look out for. I was also taught of the different software that they use in the hospital to keep all the patients records, rather than using paper and physical charts. I took regular vital signs and checked glucose levels on both adults and children. I also got the opportunity to look into cataract surgeries which was a great experience, and something I would not have been able to witness as a nursing student in Ireland.
I definitely gained more confidence throughout this placement as I was in a country whose native language wasn't English. I have learned how to adapt to a new environment. I have also gained more organisational skills as I had to plan my travelling to and from work. This trip was a big eye opener as to how a country, which isn't that far away from home, could be different in so many ways. As we were in Sweden during their winter season, we got the chance to learn how to ski which was definitely a great experience also.
The best part of this trip was the fact we all bonded together as a group and we were all looking forward to exploring Sweden on our days off, rather than just staying home. Also the fact I got to comfort patients during surgeries by holding their hand, was a great experience. Although most patients did not speak English, they were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. This Erasmus+ experience proved to me that you do not need to be able to speak a language fluently in order to communicate with other people.
I definitely gained more confidence throughout this placement as I was in a country whose native language wasn't English. I have learned how to adapt to a new environment. I have also gained more organisational skills as I had to plan my travelling to and from work. This trip was a big eye opener as to how a country, which isn't that far away from home, could be different in so many ways. As we were in Sweden during their winter season, we got the chance to learn how to ski which was definitely a great experience also.
The best part of this trip was the fact we all bonded together as a group and we were all looking forward to exploring Sweden on our days off, rather than just staying home. Also the fact I got to comfort patients during surgeries by holding their hand, was a great experience. Although most patients did not speak English, they were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable. This Erasmus+ experience proved to me that you do not need to be able to speak a language fluently in order to communicate with other people.
Sarah Monaghan - Nursing Studies
My work experience overall was extremely beneficial as i had not done any work experience here in Ireland and therefore it gave me a real insight into the life of a nurse.I definitely boosted my confidence skills as I never would have had to actually deal with patients which was extremely happy.I would have never thought that I would be able to take blood of someone by myself. The cultural experience was a great life lesson also as it is great to experience a new culture and way of living especially at a young age as it has encouraged me to travel more and make the most of the opportunities i get in life. The fact that I was living away from home for three weeks is such a great experience especially for my future when i progress into a nursing degree where i will be living away from home.
The fact that the work experience was organised and arranged for me already it was extremely helpful and beneficial to me.Although everyone spoke Swedish they all had a high level of fluent English which was great.I would have liked to have known some Swedish before I went over just to have a few basic sentences. The working environment in the hospital was very positive and we all wanted work and learn as everybody was extremely helpful and wanted to help us and show us new skills.I got an insight into what it is like to work as real nurse as i got to do a night shift which i thought was extremely helpful. It was my first time living away from home with a group of people which was a great experience as we all got on really well.
The fact that the work experience was organised and arranged for me already it was extremely helpful and beneficial to me.Although everyone spoke Swedish they all had a high level of fluent English which was great.I would have liked to have known some Swedish before I went over just to have a few basic sentences. The working environment in the hospital was very positive and we all wanted work and learn as everybody was extremely helpful and wanted to help us and show us new skills.I got an insight into what it is like to work as real nurse as i got to do a night shift which i thought was extremely helpful. It was my first time living away from home with a group of people which was a great experience as we all got on really well.