An experience of a lifetime...3 months in beautiful Bergen

•Second largest city in Norway (260,000)•Tourist friendly. Widespread excellent English spoken amongst locals•Interesting history...Hanseatic League, cod, pirates, fires, black plague, C19th leprosy research centre German IIWW occupation/bombing•Capital of culture- awarded title of European Capital of Culture in 2000•International Music Festival•International Film Festival•Norwegian capital of independent music scene•October Fest beer festival •Lively student city with approx. 22,000 university students•Stunning location set amongst seven mountains and surrounded by breathtaking fjords •Expensive!

Be prepared for rain....

Umbrella repair shop!

A aand snow!(and -12 degrees)

Haukeland Hospital Placement

•10 week placement•Upper Gastro-intestinal tract surgical ward (predominantly pancreatic, colon and oesophageal cancer)•100 % of shifts with mentor•Only student •Staff spoke excellent English•Majority of patients spoke good English very few spoke none at all.

Some differences in the health care

•More informal •Less hierarchy •Friendlier•Same uniforms for ALL staff (white scrubs)•Uniforms dispensed by a machine! •Less of a culture of/fear of litigation= less paperwork= more time with patients/less stress•Safer drug management system=drugs prepared by the nurses on night shift •Students are able to do IV care and male catheterisation•Norwegian students have less paperwork...no skill sheets! •No open wards (4 bedded bays/single rooms)•Higher staffing levels =lighter caseload

•Lowest MRSA rates in Europe after Holland (strict antibiotic culture)•But infection control differences: flowers allowed, nurses sit on beds•Independent patients serve themselves from a self-service food buffet on the ward•No Early warning score system•.’Kardex’ all computerised •No group handover (still rapport) •More inter-professional working between doctors and nurses (one ward round each shift)

•Your mentor will not be familiar with the passport (ensure you inform them of what you need to achieve early on)•Do not let worrying about the language barrier stop you from applying....•However be aware that not knowing the language is a barrier to certain year 3Management skills...paperwork is all in Norwegian and you will not be involved in discharge planning, referrals or documentation• Be prepared for feeling disempowered at times (not being able to work to your full capability due to paperwork being in Norwegian and language barriers with patients....•Nurse to patient communication will be more limited and will rely more on non-verbal communication and intuitive skills.•Staff are extremely welcoming and supportive towards erasmus students!

Community Placement

•2 week placement •Excellent opportunity to gain cultural insight •Shift pattern: 8.00-15.30 or 15.00-22.30•Work load heavier than UK: (10-14 home visits per shift with mentor)•No uniform• Home nursing care more holistic (personal hygiene, food, dosset box preparation/drug administration)

Accommodation•Hostel for Norwegian/international students•5 minutes walk to hospital!•Beautiful location at base of Mount Ulriken Bergen’s highest mountain•Shared kitchen/ showers/toilets •Free internet and laundry•Excellent heating •2400 kroner monthly (£270)•30 mins walk into centre/10 minutes by bus

Enjoy the location of the hostel...at the foot of Bergen’s highest mountain!

and Bergen’s wonderful sunsets!

Fish mackerel from the fjord and cook them on a cabin fire!

Meet the ‘locals’!

Learn about Norse mythology

Meet international friends