Dinner at Sailem Island

Last night we took a ferry across to a little farm to have lamb roast. It was lots of fun. Good food and good company. There were even rams that made friends with Soura and Candice (or the other way around).

Finnmark Trip

On Sunday we headed out on our trip around Finnmark to learn about the Sami people. We spent four days travelling. Pertice, Ruth, Grete, Leanne, Candice, Gwen and Soura packed nicely in one vehicle with a stubborn door...which, thankfully Leanne has been working those biceps, 'cause Soura sure couldn't close it herself. We camped, staying in cabins throughout...one even had a hot tub. We visited special sites such as the Sami parliament, museums, nursing homes, psychiatric homes, and the Sami and Alta university. We had a packed four days...sang a lot of songs, laughed a lot, lassooed reindeer antlers, enjoyed a bbq on the Alta river, and met many new friends. Oh, and we saw two moose (Candice's add-in).

Hike up to Tyven

The other day we were able to take a beautiful hike up to a place called Tyven. What a day it was!

Hammerfest hospital

This is the hospital and the school in Hammerfest. They are side by side, so makes walking to each them easy.

Where we live

So I guess we forgot to post this earlier...It is what our flats look like on the inside. We all have our own separate flat. They pretty much all look the same. The four of us live in the same area; Soura and I live on an end unit (I am on the top floor and Soura is below me) and Candace and Leanne live in the unit next to us. Each unit has about 9 flats, but I do not know exatly how many of the are occupied. This seems to change from week to week.

Traditional Bunad's

Traditional Bunad outfits that people from Norway wear on special occassions. Each Bunad design corresponds to the place in Norway that they are from.

National Norway Day

May 17th is NOrways National Day and we were lucky enough to be around for the celebrations!

In the "Telephone Room"

Soura's Play Pen
Soura had a character for each type of phone - Gwen was able to film one of them... Enjoy!

Trip to the Museum

On Sunday we made our way to the museum. The museum was on the reconstruction of Hammerfest, Norway after the Germans burnt it down in 1945. It was very interesting and had some fun rooms with telephones from all eras. Soura had more fun than anyone (just watch the video).

Hike in Norway

What a beautiful day today was! All four of students and Pertice had the day off (first time all on the same day since we got here) and we went on a hike. The view was great. I did not realize how big Hammerfest was until I was looking over the town. I have posted some pics so you can see for yourself. These pictures speak a thousand words, for sure!

Clinical Experience

All of us have been working in different areas of the hospital with each of our nursing students. We have been learning much about the way things are done here at the hospital and what the students learn at their school and hospital. It has been very interesting and a great learning experience. Each of us have had discussion with our Norwegian nursing students about how procedures are done in Norway and in Canada and discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is a whole new avenue of critical thinking and contemplating about the taking for granted practices that we might have.

We took some pictures of us dressed in our white uniforms, but I have to find out whose camera they are on to upload them. They actually dont look that bad and you can definitely tell who are the nurses. Also I like the fact that after a days work at the hospital, I can leave my uniform in the laundry bin in the change room and pick up a clean pair for the next day.

Each of us have been experience different units and different shifts, so it always interesting to catch up with each other every few days. Even though we live in the same complex, we sometimes do not all see each other for several days. I also have pictures of our units, but forgot my camera cord back at my flat so I will have to do that as well next time. The flats are cozy and cute allowing each of us to have our own personal space.

Tromso

First Week in Hammerfest

Travel Pictures

On a steamboat to Tromso

So last night, Pertice, Gwen and Soura decided to take a litttle trip Tromso by steamboat. Presently we are on the Midnatsol, which is beautiful boat, taking us to Tromso. The trip will last us 12 hours. We are going through the sea which is an incredible view. It is like we are passing through these snow covered mountains and every once in a while we come across a few scattered houses and small communities. It makes us wonder about the history of each of these little towns and how they came to be. As we are on our journey, we are meeting more people and learning more about the traditions. I am sure some of the questions that we ask are making people laugh, but everyone is so kind and patient. The service on this boat is amazing. The internet is not so great, so hopefully this message will get posted without too many errors.

Last night all of us girls uploaded all of our pictures into Soura's computer and once we are able to get back to Hammerfest and go to the internet cafe, we will post some of those as well. Anyhow I only have a few minutes of log in time left so I'd better go. Until next time.

A beautiful day

Today we went on excursions to a nursing home and health centre in Hammerfest. We learned much about the health system and health of the people. We met some nurses and doctors at these facilities. It was great to get out in the community and not just be in the hospital. They have a very social democracy, so people are taxed based on a percentage of their income so this means that everyone has equal access to health care. This greatly reduces the poor-rich gap. The state has to make sure that everyone has the basics: food, home, and clothing. Homelessness is not an issue unless a person chooses to live on the street where as in Canada it is not always a choice. The poverty line is 1000 noks (krones) per person and their is social assistance to supply flats and food for clothing and food for those who cant afford. There are only 42 people in Hammferfest who are not employed. Another interest difference is that each person has to pay to see the doctor and this is about $20 per visit plus any extra fees but there is a cap of about $300 dollars per year then you do not have to pay for the rest of the year.
The nursing home had more staff per resident than we do and payment is different. Each person is taxed 75% of their pension and the government pays the homes. Each person receives the same care and treatment regardless of how much they pay. The staff were great and took a long time out of their day to tend to our multiple questions. We are finding that Norwegians are very easy going and patient.
We are looking at taking a steamnoat to Tromso in the next few weeks. Will keep you posted.

PS So far Pertice is behaving herself...LOL

Eating at a restaurant in Norway

Today was another great day! We met our Norway nursing students whom we will be pairing with. They are all very nice and excited to have us here. We met up with Pertice at the school and had our little meet and greet. We tried some Norwegian waffles, jam and cheese. The cheese was sweet and went well with waffles and jam. We now have our schedules for the hospital and it is much different than back home. They only work 8 hours and are only allowed to work 1 night shift during their clinical rotation. The students find their own preceptors and make their own schedule. The student that I (gwen) am with does not have a scheduled shift for the last two weeks and has told me that I could make it whatever I wanted. They also work 1 to 3 weeks on one unit and then they switch to another unit. So I am going to be working on three different units while I am here. They also have specialized units (such medicine: cardiac and respiratory) for each area. So we are working in areas such as: Medicine (cardio & resp), ICU, Medical daycare, Surgery (post-op), and ortho and some other areas. The areas are a bit different so we will know more once we work there. More to come later....

1st Day in Norway

So 5 plane rides and one day later we have arrived in Hammerfest. With the 8 hour time difference we have lost part of a day, but are quiclkly recovering. The place is beautiful with its mountains and a bay. The mountains are still covered in snow and the air is crisp and refreshing. We start our clinical rotation tomorrow with an orientation to the school and hospital. Our residence is walking distance to both of these places. We have not seen Pertice yet as she took an earlier plane and had to be detoured due to fog. She had to take a 3 hour bus ride from wheverer they landed, so she got in 2 hours after we did last night. Touring around the town and doing sight seeing for today. Will add pictures soon.

Pictures of Norway