International Practicum:
Finland
2006
Hello Everyone from us here in Helsinki, Finland!
We arrived on Thursday, January 5 at around 1800 at the Helsinki airport and were met by our Finnish Student tutor Raija (pronounced Raiya). We also met our roommate Marta and Bruno (who lives across the way from us in another apartment building). They are from Portugal and are also doing their Nursing practicums here in Helsinki! We have tackled the Transit system here and survived! Its very efficient compared to the Saskatoon transit system (lol). Both Haley and I met our facilitator Asta on Monday and began our Community practicums Tuesday at different Health Centers. The set up of the health system here is very interesting and appears to be quite efficient. Public health nurses and doctors work in the same clinic and take care of clients who live in thier districts. Certain Nurses provide care for the people living on specific streets and in specific areas. The nurses do general check ups on seniors, children, pregnant moms and babies. If you need a sick note you would see your Nurse and she would write a note saying you should not be at work... instead of going to your family doctor. There are many difference and similarities... This is going to be a very enlightening experience for the next three months.
The other things that are important to note is that the weather is very mild here so far... today it actually rained! Also, the sun seems to come up around 0845-0900 and sets at about 1600-1630! so we go to work when it is dark and arrive home in the dark... and we haven't even worked a 12 hour shift! It is a beautiful city and we hope to do some sightseeing this weekend.
Hope all is well in Saskatoon. Tune in for more soon!
Jennifer Cory and Haley Johnston
