Vital Signs September Issue - School of Nursing - SDSU

By Sarah Duchoud
Swiss Student
EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE
The Source and HECVS,
two schools of nursing
Swiss students charging the beach getting ready to learn how to hang ten
care in Switzerland, provided
the opportunity for
students to go to California for a month. The summer university took place at the San Diego State University.
Having been able to take part in this trip, I learned about health care in the United States. During this
month of study my colleagues and I had the opportunity to visit a shelter for battered women. We
learned about the education given regarding pregnancy, labor and delivery.
We were able to look at care plans written by students and saw how they handled different illnesses.
The Veterans Administration hospital showed us an aspect of the United States that we as Swiss knew
little about. Switzerland has not participated in as many battles and wars as the United States has, so we
were not aware of the consequences and after effects left on
those soldiers who were involved.
One lesson of our nursing education taught us how the multitude
and affordability of fast food and unhealthy menus
has taken a toll on the health of the American population.
This was evidenced by the film Super Size Me.
A big difference in our schools is that our mannequins are
not state of the art. They are not able to simulate breathing
nor giving birth. At the SDSU simulation lab we were able
to participate in a delivery and observe the nursing responsibilities.
continued on page 12
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