June 4th - Westminster Abbey

After my shift today I took the Jubilee line subway towards Westminster Abbey. The area was crowded in celebration of the queen's sixtieth anniversary of her coronation. There were tourists everywhere and the cameras were going off like crazy. The weather was lovely and it was just the perfect day for sightseeing...

The House of Parliament

Lol.. they nearly charged me
 for taking a picture with them

Th reverend and I

A peaceful demonstration across The House of Parliament

The anti-gay marriage demonstration

It was recorded as well - I was there

Moorfields Eye Hospital - Mackellar Ward

My first week at Mackellar ward has been excellent and I love it here. The staff nurses are friendly and I received a warm welcome to the ward. So far I've been admitting patients on my own and I've been escorting patients to theatre and bringing them back to the ward. My first week on the ward has been amazing and so far my shifts has been placed according to that of my mentor's. My main focus on this placement is care for the surgical patient, which is all the way from pre-assessment to pre operative care, operation, recovery and post operative care and finally discharging.

Today I attended the orientation class for pre-registration nursing student, which is located at St. Bartholomew school of nursing on the 3rd floor at Moorfields Eye Hospital and we were introduced to the different ophthalmic specialties. It's really fascinating to know how such a little organ as the eye can have so many specialties. From next week I'll be working with my mentor or one of the staff nurses at pre-assessment, and in 2 weeks time, I'll be in the theatre as well. I'm super-excited!

Captured at the ground floor

Me standing at the main entrance of Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162  City Road

My badge. I feel so privileged to work with the staffs at Moorfields, lol

What I do when I'm bored. In order to care for the ophthalmic patient it's important to  know the anatomy and physiology of the eye. I learn by doing and graphics

What I do when I'm off duty

I mentioned in the blog earlier that I was off duty both on Thursday (9/5) & Friday (10/5). Thursday was spent at home with my relatives, while Friday was spent with Bolette. On Friday Bolette and I met at Oxford Circus, where we had lunch at a restaurant. After lunch we decided to do a little shopping at Primarks and another store, which I seriously can't remember. 

After shopping for about 3 hours we went sightseeing on London Bridge and later went home. I really enjoyed shopping and sightseeing, especially now that I've been very busy with my shifts. Tomorrow I'll be doing early shift and going through my mid-term evaluation with my mentor. Wish me luck!

I had grilled chicken with french fries and barbecue sauce with side salad - How tasty is that?

Captured from London Bridge

London Bridge station

Look at me..lol

Captured from London Bridge

 London taxi

Tower Bridge in the background

 

The life of a student nurse

I know it's been a while since I've updated my blog but I've been very busy lately.
I've been on the medical cardiology ward for almost 3 weeks, doing both early and late shifts 4 times a week of 8 hours, but today and tomorrow I'm off duty so I can rest a bit and cool my head off. I haven't been out sightseeing yet due to the placements of my shifts, but hopefully when I've got the time to do so, I'll post the pictures so please be patient. For the past 3 weeks I've been trying to compare the Danish healthcare system with the British and as much as there are many similarities, I've seen many differences also. Some things I like while others I'm slowly getting used to. It's all about adjusting - after all I chose it myself.
#Life of an exchange student#

The view of London City captured from The Whittington Hospital

If you take a closer look you can almost see the O2 Arena and The London Eye

I'm really fascinated by the British student's uniforms and I've been stalking some of them.
     These are some of the pictures I managed to take:

School kids dressed in their matching uniforms..

These girls were not aware that I was snapping them, and therefore I couldn't get a closer view 

My cousin and I on our way home after picking him up from school

End of week 1

My first week is now over and it's finally weekend. This first week has been stressful, especially with the new environment, new country and not to mention the people & dialects. So far I've been waking up by 4:45 am so I can get ready and take the early train by 5.35 am, as I have to be at the ward by 7 am sharp. The transportation itself from Southeast to North has been a daily challenge and struggle but I'm getting used to it. So far I've done early shifts (7-15), and from next week I'll be doing both early and late shifts (12-20). It has been an interesting week and I'm looking forward to the weeks ahead of me.

Note. Stay positive - It will take you far

                                          Where I'm located the first 5 weeks of my placement

                                Middlesex University Archway Campus - Right across The Whittington Hospital

                                               My cousin and I after church service
                                            I really didn't notice the girl behind me until now, lol

First day - first impression

I woke up around 4:45 am, got ready and left to first take the railway then later the subway heading up North towards the hospital. Unfortunately things didn't turn out as expected. I didn't get my day Day travel card on time and one thing led to another - I missed my train.

With a little help from my dear friend I finally managed to call the ward informing them that I'll be delayed due to i missed the first train. I arrived at the ward around 7:20 am, which is 20 minutes late. I was quickly introduced to the ward staffs and immediately I had to get into the daily routine. My mentor quickly introduced me to the patients I was to observe and this I did throughout my shift. I will be doing the short shift, which is from 7-15 (it is mandatory that we spend at least 30 hours at the clinic weekly).

Note to myself: never come late and especially not on your first day. Bad first day impression.. Hopefully it won't happen again!

Getting ready

Around 11 pm today I headed up North to Middlesex University Archway Campus to get my student id. I walked around the area and took a few pictures of the hospital as well.
Gosh getting around London is pretty expensive, even with an Oystercard. Luckily I bought a Day
Travelcard for 8.90£, which I could use both on rail, subway and on the bus. This is okay for just one day but it will be very expensive on the long run
#Life of a student#

Student-id, Oystercard and my Day Travelcard - Transportation is set

After meeting with our clinical placement coordinator, Kathy on Friday 19th, Bolette and I went shopping at Primarks. A store filled with affordable and yet lovely and fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories. 

Oh boy I've found my new love!

My arrival

Bolette and I left Odense Station on Wednesday 17th by 8:46 (GMT+1) heading towards Kastrup Airport Copenhagen. After checking in we took off, but we were delayed due to some airplanes behind us. We finally arrived at Heathrow Airport around 13:10 (GMT).
Bolette and I were so tired as we later separated. She took the taxi to the hostel up North, while I took the subway & railway heading towards Southeast London.
After hours of confusion in the big city of London, I finally reached my destination.

A reminder to myself: Never ask too many people when you get lost in a big city, as many of them might be tourists or outsiders like you!! I learnt it the hard way