The end

Everything comes to an end...so they say.Now it’s time to head back to Finland with great memories and experiences.During this journey I managed to build new friendships, revived my german language abilities and learned how every day life but also working life combine together in a different environment.

This summer semester was full of exciting events, interesting people and new information. I want to thank KAMK,HNU,RKU and all the people who made this possible and supported me during this internship.

Gerontological nursing

My last placement was in neurogeriatric ward but also I got an opportunity to see how the physiotherapists and intensive care nurses work. In neurogeriatric ward the patients are usually elderly people having symptoms caused by strokes or neurological diseases. During this time there,I learned important information about the neurological nursing and rehabilitation as well.

After this period I was transferred to the rehabilitation unit ground floor where all the therapists work. I was there for one week learning about rehabilitation of neurological and orthopedic patients in different phases of their illness. I found this interesting and important to realize how much you can affect of the healing process by rehabilitation. The hospital has a gym for the patients and I took part of the training with them including water and group therapies.

From rehabilitation unit I went to the intensive care unit which was like a dream come true. ICU is the place I’ve dreamed about working in so I was totally enthusiastic. This was a small unit but effective. At first I was confused with the machinery but started to understand quickly. All the nurses and doctors were great and I was able to see many operations. ICUs nurses are trained to answer for emergencies inside of the building. Once I was running with them downstairs with the emergency equipment and got to see all of them in action.

Station M/I

Station M/I, a neurological ward.This was the place I actually learned the most.Mostly the patients had neurological diseases like MS,ALS,Huntington,CIPD and NMO.Many of them had a tracheastomy and they needed 24 hour monitoring. I spent 1,5 months there,learned a lot about medication and taking care of neurological patients.

One day I was asked to join to watch different operations,including ultrasounds and PEG-operations.Those were extremely exciting to see.Nurses and doctors on this ward were nice and polite.I got to join nursing totally in english which was very welcome after those wards with only german speaking people.

In addition,I spent 3 days in apharesezentrum which is a unit where plasmatransfers for neurologically ill patients are made.This was an interesting experience and I am grateful to those people who welcomed me to see their work.

Travelling in Germany

I feel the urge to write something about travelling inside and outside of Germany. Having freetime is also important during an exchange. During my time here I have visited few places in Bayern area, including Blaubeuren,München,Dachau,Garmisch-Partenkirchen,Stuttgart and of course getting familiar with the city of Ulm was important.Travelling in and from Germany is not highly expensive if you know where to search.Because of the location, many places are near.Here are few pictures from Ulm,München,Berchtesgaden and Blaubeuren:

Operating theatres

I was so excited of the given change to see what's going on in operating theatres in this hospital.That is a totally new area of learning for me.I learned basics about the tasks of the nurses working in operating theatre and saw also how the patients are being prepared before surgery and taking cared of after.The surgeons spoke excellent english and kept me informed what is going on all the time.

Die RKU

Die RKU - Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm

For the last 2 weeks I've been learning surgical nursing in orthopedic unit. Mostly pre- and postoperative nursing with adults but also couple days in childrens' ward. These weeks have been interesting but hard.Trying to cope with two foreign languages.First days went by in a blur. Yet, my understanding towards german hospital language seems to be better everyday and I can communicate with the patients auf Deutsch.

This clinic differs from finnish in many ways.Actually I was surprised of the fact that nurses and doctors work all together sharing their office too.The atmosphere here between all workers is very friendly. Nurses' job differs also.Here nurses are not usually allowed to take blood samples,take care of the wounds or cannulate.Instead there are multiple other unfamiliar tasks for me to learn.

Germany is a multicultural country and one of  the best things is to meet people from different cultures everyday.

Orientation weeks are over

Orientation weeks are over and it's time to start my first internship at the hospital on next monday.I passed the german language course and decided to continue further.I enjoyed so much.Now it's time to spend some quality time with friends and in this exact moment I am heading to München.After well-rested weekend my time as a nursing student in Ulm may begin :)