I am doing nine weeks practical training here. I’m so lucky that I can be here during my nursing school. My training is in the Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra at Orthopedic ward. The ward is located in different building than main hospital but it’s near. Because I am spending over two months at the same ward I have change to get familiar with them. I already feel warmly welcomed in my ward and I have improved my nursing skills. I have also once a week a Portuguese class. We have a lovely teacher and I am motivated to learn this new language.
Coimbra
During my exchange I have had chance to explore other beautiful cities. I have already visited in Lisbon, Porto and Aveiro. Each city has its own unique charm. I loved Lisbon, which is the capital. There is so much beautiful things to see and I will travel again to Lisbon. It has been relaxing to spend day offs in different places. This was also one of the reasons I wanted to have an exchange experience. I have also made new friendship and met lovely people from different countries.
Lisbon
Studying in Portugal is different than in Finland. Nursing school in Portugal takes four years, in Finland only three and half year. The local students have their first practical trainingin the second year of nursing school. In Finland we start having trainings at very first semester. In the second year, Portuguese students go to the hospital wards in small groups with their teacher and stay there about one month. I think that was the biggest difference between Finnish and Portuguese nursing school. Our trainings in Finland last about 4 to 6 weeks and we have practical trainings every year of school. In Portugal their third year of nursing school is only having practical trainings in different hospital wards. The trainings last for 4 weeks to 9 weeks in one place. Nurses and teachers expect a lot of the students and they want to let them do almost everything on their own. In Finland it is not like that and tutor nurses are more responsible than in Portugal.
My ward in Coimbra.
In conclusion, my time in Coimbra has been an incredible experience, both personally and professionally. This beautiful city has allowed me to grow my nursing skills while enjoying culture and history of Portugal. I am so grateful for the warm welcome from my colleagues in the orthopedic ward. The difference between nursing in Portugal and Finland have been eye-opening and giving me a deeper understanding of the nursing. Portugal will always have a special place in my heart.
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