Student nurses from Spain have good experiences of their clinical training in Sweden
By the time we interview them, they have been here for a couple of months and have had a taste of emergency and ambulance care.
Nursing students Paula Agramunt and Valeria Espinoza from Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain have completed parts of their clinical training during the autumn at the University of Borås within the framework of the EU programme Erasmus+ Traineeship.
A chance to try out several healthcare areas
“I chose to do clinical training in Sweden to have the opportunity to get to know another culture and see what it's like to work as a nurse in another healthcare system. In addition, I wanted to try several different healthcare areas during my internship. In Spain, we have more clinical training during our educational programmes, but in fewer areas. For example, we cannot undergo training in the ambulance services in Spain," said Paula Agramunt.
Paula has good experience from her training in emergency care and ambulance services.
“I have felt very welcome and involved. Mentors are curious about and interested in our culture. I learn a lot, but I can also share the experiences from my country.”
Valeria also has a positive experience of her training in Borås.
“Clinical training in Sweden is an opportunity for me to try out different specialties before deciding on a direction. But it also gives me the experience of meeting nurses in a different culture. The staff is very interested in Spain and has asked a lot about my country. I have a great supervisor who is very concerned about my well-being. I have been able to work independently and do things on my own, while the supervisor is always available," she said.
Independent nurses with a focus on the patient
One experience they both share is that nurses in the ambulance and emergency services in Sweden have more responsibility and work more independently, compared to Spain.
“Here, all professionals work more on the same level and in teams. The nurses can make their own decisions, even if it is in consultation with a colleague or the doctor," said Paula.
Another difference they have noticed is that patient contact, nursing and communication with the patient have a greater focus in Sweden, both in education and in healthcare.
“Nursing and Caring Science as a subject are becoming more prominent in education. In Spain, the focus is more on the medical side and the diseases themselves," said Valeria.
Paula is impressed by the good contact with patients in the Swedish ambulance service.
“Staff have very good communication with patients and families. They have an amazing ability to calm them. It seems that they have more time for the patients here,” said Paula.
Another difference they both noticed is that family members are more present in the healthcare system in Spain.
“In Spain, families are with their relatives in the hospital. Nurses also need to take care of patients' families. We need to be able to communicate properly so that they understand and can be involved in their care. In Sweden, people trust medical professionals more. Families in Spain often look after their relatives themselves and the elderly stay at home more. In Sweden, they remain in their own homes and receive home care," said Valeria.
Enjoyed the social activities
Social life during the exchange period has been facilitated by the many different activities organised by the Student Union and the university.
“Even though it can be a bit difficult to make social contacts outside the university, the university has given us many opportunities, both in terms of finding accommodation and the social activities that are organised. It was great to have an introduction week for all international students and we have been able to participate in the Student Union’s activities," said Paula.
For Valeria and Paula, the next step is clinical training in primary care, followed by another six months of education and clinical training in Spain before they graduate as nurses. They both want to come back to Sweden and work.
“We would love to come back, we love cinnamon buns," Paula concluded, laughing.
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As a programme student at the University of Borås, you have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to carry out 2 to 12 months of traineeship within the framework of the Erasmus programme. The traineeship should be relevant to your educational programme and provide you with skills that you can use in your future professional life.