So first week in Ireland and in my first training placement is behind me now. My feelings are tired but very happy. Now I understand how hard it really is to speak foreign language whole day and try to understand what people want to tell you.
However my first training placement is some kind of day (care) centre for mental health rehabilitees. I have met people with different backgrounds and diagnosis. Every one is a person and they have their own skills and strengths. And of course, some problems.
The clients have everyday habits ja they take part of different kind of groups and therapy in the centre. Some one likes acting and some one loves bingo or reading. My role in this place is to be "a friend" for clients. I take a part of groups as a member and talking with them for example today's news and things about my home country.
Everyday I have to meet my negative attitudes and of course my own fears, too. For example, there was music therapy at thursday and even though I am terrible singer I took part of this group. At first clients sang their song or said some poems. My mentor said poem too, and when everyone else was present their things I sang "Twinkle twinkle star" - in finnish of course. At the end we praised each others and there was "healing atmosphere", i thought. It was very nice to understand that we all are people even though you can't sing like a popstar or can't work like others.
When I have read backgrounds about my clients and I have spoke with them, in this week, I have got lost my negatives about mental health rehabilitees. It is so interesting to speak with them and listen their lifestories. They have their own past and memories and I can just understand that they are people too. Just like me, but they have only disease which make to their daily lives a little bit complicated than mine.
About my learning goals, I have a feeling that I know now the centres daily habits and liaison with other staff working good. Also I have learn a language 'cause I have to use it every day not only the centre but in my daily living here. About negative attitudes like I said - they are lost with rehabilitees. I can't say how I feel when I going my next training placement. Hopefully I feel like now.
Hi Roosa
VastaaPoistaYou are doing good job with this blog. And your english is very good, too! Yes, it is not so easy to "survive" first week in english but hey, now you have one more experience which proves you that you can easily handle those kind of big challenges.
I am sorry I comment this part of your blog this late. No more explanations, now I have booked a once a week time from my calender to comment your blog.
Good to read that your negative prejudices have changed. It is absolutely necessary to rethink them and make that change "in you" if you really want to meet every person individually and egually. That is what you surely want to do when you work as a public health nurse. And good to realize that some negative thoughts have passed you by "just doing things": I mean like the experience about singing you mentioned. You will get more courage from every of those moments.
You also told that your role is like being a friend with clients. Was that your choice or did the staff mentioned that for you? I mean, how do your role differ from the staff role?
Well done this first week, Roosa!
Jukka A
Kirjoittaja on poistanut tämän kommentin.
VastaaPoistaIt was my choice 'cause I couldn't wrote patient cases for example. And I also stayed there only two weeks so it was earier to me checked what's going on in this placement. Of course I was one of staff and I took a part one to one sessions etc. but this place was day centre so staff there were "friends" with clients. I don't mean "friends friends" but clients could tell there problems and so on for staff and we chatted those things like a friends. Clients there were good mood and healthy so just needed someone to be their "mentor".
VastaaPoistaKirjoittaja on poistanut tämän kommentin.
VastaaPoista