Exchange student experiences
Sweden
Nursing student Hanka Malkova has just returned from Böras in Sweden following a three-month funded exchange placement.
"I worked on a general surgical and medical ward with approximately 30 patients, in Accident and Emergency, Recovery and also in the Outpatients department," Hanka explains. "I found that the mentors and other staff were immensely supportive. They explained all of the procedures to me, introduced me to the patients, answered all my questions and made me feel very welcome.
"During the placement I was able to practice skills that I had learned through my training as well as develop more advanced skills such as patient assessment on admission to A&E and recovery, administration of intravenous drugs and fluids and performing ECG and continuous cardiac monitoring.
"Overall, I had a great time in Sweden. The learning experience was of real value to me, I learned a lot from my mentors, met many new people and made a few friends. This experience enabled me to see a different health care system and how it compares to the UK. Hopefully I will be able to draw on this in my future."
