Sofia made her work-based training in Norway

-What attracted me to take the chance was the possibility to learn something new and see how it works in another country. But also to get a professional experience and prove that I can be flexible. I think it might be a good track for the future, says Sofia Aspling.

More overall responsibility

In Nordland sykehusets neurological department in Bodø got Sofia to experience the nurses role in Norway. Her experience is that in Sweden the nurses have a overall patient responsible and more medical commitments, compared to Norway, where the role is more caring, observing and reporting.

There was also nursing students from Norway, who made their worked-based training in the same department and Sofia discovered some differences in education. In Sweden there is a strong focus on theoretical knowledge, that she now had to put into practice, while the Norwegian students were on worked-based training over half of their education. In addition, they had two months to implement the same practice as Sofia did in a month. The supervisor was a little hard as they where on different levels althoug they were in the same grade.
- I still think it's good to read a lot of theory, as it gets you an understanding of the big picture around the patient.

Important to bring a study portfolio

She recommends other students who want to make their worked-based training in another country to bring a study portfolio with reviews from previous practices, syllabus and a study guide.
- It is important for the supervisor to know where I was as a nursing student in terms of knowledge, what I want to accomplish and what I need to practice.

She definitely think other students should take the chance to make their worked-based trining in another country.
- I have challenge myself and become much braver. You get a lot of new experiences, not just personality wise, but you also face different kind of challenges.

Work outside Sweden

One tip she would give to those who have decided to go is to be proactive because there are lote of practical arrangement before the departure.
- Do not hesitate to ask for help, both at Luleå University and Bodø University. They are very accommodating.

The worked-based training in Norway gave her the idea to eventually get the international registration as a nurse. The plan is to work outside Sweden.
- I want to get another experiences and take part of another country's culture, language and values, says Sofia Aspling.