Previous
Program - Nursing in
Norway
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This four-week course explored the health care delivery in Norway.
The influence of geography, economics, public policy, and
technological factors on health care delivery is considered.
Nursing roles in that system, quality management, current nursing
issues, research, and education the primary foci. Norwegian
experts in their respective field provide most of the lectures.
Globalization of health and the participation of nurses in this
process are also discussed. Faculty from The University of
Akron facilitated comparisons with the U.S. system. Classes
and tours were held Monday through Thursday. Students had a three-day weekend
to participate in activities of choice. |
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Field
Visits
Students toured and observed nursing in acute and
community settings serving needs of all age groups. Observation
sites included public research and teaching hospitals, health stations and
clinics, nursing home and rehabilitation centers. The nurses and
medical staff at all these centers graciously welcomed students and their
questions.
Sites included The National Radium
Hospital (Cancer), Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Diakonhjemmets
Hospital (private), Psychiatric Polyclinics, Riks Hospital (National),
Maternal-Child unit at Aker Hospital in Oslo and the Montebello Cancer
Rehabilitation Center, nursing homes and home care in Lillehammer.
Students expressed amazement about what they learned and how their studies
were
influenced during the next school year.
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Culture
There was plenty of time for exploring the culture of Norway after class,
during long weekends, on the way to site visits, and on an optional trip
to Bergen. A variety of museums and parks provided many
enjoyable hours getting acquainted with Norwegian culture and history.
Athletically inclined students could hike, swim, and bicycle as the Norwegians
do in summer. Oslo and Bergen are very cosmopolitan cities with
increasing tourism and official government visits.
Norway enjoys one of the highest standards of
living in the world. The Norwegian government has taken a leadership
role in conciliatory efforts between nations in conflict (Bosnia, Israel,
Palestine, and Africa).
The cost for a trip
to Bergen for four days was an
additional fee of about $330. Museums such as Edvard Grieg's home,
Ole Bull's summer island home, the Munch collection in a private gallery,
ancient stave churches, and more were possible on the trip.
Wandering and sampling the wares of the Fish Market was intriguing.
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Vigiland's
Monolith |
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Health Care System
The health care system in
Norway is highly organized,
technologically advanced, and financially sound. The system is
financed through a National Health Insurance plan with about 9% of costs
derived from the GNP. Goals include equal access and reducing the
wait time to care for all irrespective of finances, age, gender, or
residence, including recent immigrants and refugees. There is great
effort to provide programs that emphasize health promotion as a way to
prevent disease. Children, elderly and physically and mentally challenged
populations are a priority. Maternal infant death rate is one of the
lowest in the world.
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Ancient
Stave Church |
Current issues are providing health care
for a growing elderly population, immigrants, and containing costs. The
guiding economic principle is to maintain and improve health care without
relying on the oil money from the North Sea oil fields.
Norwegian nurses are frequent consultants to developing countries seeking
advice on nursing education and health care delivery information.
They have a wealth of knowledge and experiences from which we can learn.
Students had the opportunity to interact with internationally known nurse
leaders from Norway in both the classroom and informal settings.
Some of the nurse lecturers have observed nursing at major health care
institutions in America and have doctoral education from major American
universities. The lecturers as well as the hospital tour speakers
were fluent in English. |
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Web Administrator
Last updated:
01/30/03 01:06 PM
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