Personal conclusions

hello every one, hope you are all well..

Life in Malta: Ooo.. it’s warm ;) 18 o today

This week…was hectic for me, as I had to catch up with a lot of emails that I was expected to answer, lectures, assignment, notes and started on the dissertation journey. I am so looking forward for tomorrow evening as we are meeting Michelle and the mentors for a post intensive program discussion as regards our MINE experience, to refresh our memories in order to start thinking about our digital narratives ;).

A brief Conclusion about MINE

Students value the opportunities that mentoring schemes present in order to facilitate their practice development. In fact, in these two weeks I became completely aware of the incidence of stress amongst students going on exchange programs. In our conference we proposed a model or framework that concerned facts that facilitate the life of students on their exchange journey. The information that we presented were questions that students ask or may try to resolve before going to another country; these included information about mentoring activities, learning agreements and other useful components such as links to university policies, accommodations, transport etc.. I believe that our idea will reinforce the position of students through both overt and concealed mechanisms of management, organization and control. In these two weeks we discussed about the effective ways of supporting students on their clinical placements; however there is little evidence that supports the suggestion that mentorship is mostly effective as either a support system or a clinical teaching strategy for the students.

A personal conclusion ;)

I would like to thank each and every one of you for making this MINE intensive program a successful event. Additionally, the most significant outcome of this intensive two-week program was that no matter of our cultural differences and different systems, we managed to work together effectively as a whole team with a common goal. This, I think, is one of the most important components in nursing.

I miss you xxxxxxxx

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I have to keep this short as I am running out of time in the computer labs :)

Wednesday: ...snowing and very cold!! In the morning all MINE group gathered as usual in the barn :), where we continued our discussions regarding the presentations and the conference, we are moving towards the end of our mission! Each group presented their powerpoints which confirmed remarkable work by every one. After lunch, we went on a duck trip , it was an exciting, relaxing , pleasant and a funny experience!

Student 'BUDDY'

Tuesday..what a hectic day!

In the morning I went to have a proper english breakfast, then we (the students) gathered at the Archway campus gym. Imperative issues were pointed out during our brain storming sessions as regard the tool kit and the preperation for the students’ conference. In the afternoon we continued our work (or better put all our bits and pieces together) at the computer labs. Each group consisted of 5/4 students, each member from a different country. Our subject is related to the implication of a student mentor or ‘buddy’ as one of the key components of a student exchnge program.I believe that the student mentor is a medium for the exchange student to adjust more quickly and assists the student to cope effectively with the new cultural environment. It is believed that student mentors are powerful tools that help students through periods of transiton. Both the faculty and the student buddy will be involved in ensuring a successful accademic and social experience during the exchange student’s stay or visit. Moreover, it provides a continuous approach, guidance and serves as a role model. I think that different countries should consider the student buddy when planning student exchange programs,as in our MINE group only Finland seem to have the student mentors.

Brain Storming for the tool kits

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!!!

15:54pm @ Archway Campus computer labs , today I’m not alone ..Sunni is supporting me! The security didn’t asked for my Idcard, for a change as he got used to me already. As regard the weekend...what can I say, Saturday was a blast, Sunday we were more relaxed!! I’m surprised about the fact of having such good dancers in the MINE group. Today I experienced snowing for my first time..its getting colder and colder.

I am really enjoying the team working environment throughout the MINE sessions. All of us managed succesfully to interact and go along so well with each and every person, even tough we comprise diverse cultures. Today in our groups we discussed issues as regards the conference and we started to plan what should be included in the tool kits. Plenty of important issues had arise which concerned substantial information that is largely benefical for erasmus exchange students. What type of information will students value? I assume that its preeminent if we reflect on what information we prefered before our exchange program; from both the education division and also personal matters e.g nearby shops, distances and bus numbers ecc.. I believe that we need to analyse this course of action from a cultural, biological, physical ecc..point of view. Antti pointed out that in Finland they have a student mentor that takes care of the exchange student. I am aware that this is an excellent practice that provides adequate support, reassurance, enhances the students’ confidence and facilitates the students to feel safe in mind. I am sure that our end product is going to be very interesting and effective. I look forward to our group discussions, tomorrow! Enjoy your evenings!

Assessment of practice

HI all ....great week ha!

First of all I would like to wish a speedy recovery to our Michelle...GET WELL SOON!!

As regard the learning theories ; I agree with the behaviourist approach to learning, in my opinion when one is rewarded for his or her positive performance, they will be more likely to increase their confidence and progress in their course of studies. However, I believe that mentors need to be more aware of the humanistic learning theory because it values the learner as a human, and promotes a person centred approach to learning to expand one’s potential.
Later, we met Michelle and some other people. We truly enjoyed the hilarious show of Avenue Q J and a relaxing evening, I greatly recommend it...its really fun J!
Friday

Today during our MINE group session we focused on the assessment of practice, It seems that us Maltese are extremely concerned about their assessment of practice. Discussion was intense and there were common burning issues, especially by the Maltese and UK. In Malta we are continuously assessed by mentors, which in my opinion is excellent. This is a better system to a great extent than a one off assessment such as our final clinical exam, because you build up confidence with your mentor and therefore you will be more able to function competently. However, we are still concerned about the assessment process We fear about our relationship with the mentor, we are concerned about signing the domains by the end of the placement, the mentor’s perception of the assessment process and mostly the grading scale, because it reflects negatively on the student if s/he gets an exceptional level for one placement and after an overall good level for the second clinical placement. In my opinion more specific information as regards grading students is obligatory. Moreover, students must be aware on what is expected from them from each particular placement. I prefer that the mentors themselves will be systematically assessed by our educators l liked the idea of the orientation booklet for UK students, this facilitates their learning process, helps them to select objectives and assists them to familiarize themselves with the ward. I was stunned to the fact that the students from Finland are not concerned about their assessment process!!!

Happy weekend people !!

Monday,1/Feb/2010 - Thursday, 5/Feb/2010

Hi ..

I created my blogger account @ last:)

Monday...what a great day !! Finally I met the whole MINE group. We started to interact with the students, mentors and educators straight away, everyone got on very well. I really enjoyed the team building sessions that beautiful Bernard and romantic Rodianne prepared for us, this helped me to remember all names :). On tuesday, we carried out the presentations and the european nursing market. This session was benefical as we learned about the mentoring systems of each country. Dissimilarities in the course structures were highly noticable. I believe that in Malta, mentoring is directed towards promoting self development, role modelling of self discipline, clinical training and increasing the student's capacity for interpersonal relationships. A priority for mentors is to build on our strenghts and help us to identify and overcome our weaknesses. Our clinical practices help us to be more self aware, enhance our critical thinking through reflection, focuses on comprehensive nursing management and client-centered care.

Wednesday morning we went to the Hunterian museum and the Science museum, both very interesting and in the evening we had our MINE fish & chip night...it was great, we really enjoyed it:).

Thursday; today we had a session regarding learning theories with Caroline and Katy, where we participated in group work(4 people from different country each group) where we discussed positive mentoring experiences and some other issues that we would like to be in the mentoring tool for the student's conference. I was in the group with Mirella, Antti and Irene....it was an interesting chat indeed, where remarkable matters where pointed out :)