Paris Sharma

All my previous nursing placements had been in England, and I wanted to challenge myself by experiencing a placement completely different from home. 

I felt inspired by the opportunity to expand my clinical knowledge and skills in a different healthcare environment, and to understand how healthcare is delivered in an area where resources and funding are significantly lower. 

During my hospital orientation, I realised how basic the hospital was. It was a tall building with each floor and department signposted. The wards were also very basic in terms of equipment and very different from the layouts of hospital wards at home.

The biggest difference I noticed on placement was the characteristics of a nurse’s role in Ghana compared to back in the UK. Back home, nurses are often seen as advocates for their patients, as they spend the most time with them and come to know them well. However, in Ghana, nurses primarily care for their patients by following the doctors’ instructions. 

I learnt how to perform an ultrasound and an echocardiogram with their portable scan machines (which they share between the whole hospital). I also managed to expand my clinical knowledge of conditions in general medicine and learn about conditions not typically seen in the UK, such as malaria, sickle cell disease, and many more. 

I had the pleasure of witnessing two caesarean sections, which I found so interesting, watching the babies being brought into the world. I also had the opportunity to attend an intramuscular lipoma excision surgery at a local private hospital. It was so interesting to experience both a regional hospital and a private hospital overseas.

There was so much to do outside of placement. After placement, it was great to go out and explore the local area, whether that be exploring the depths of the street markets or finding delicious traditional foods.

On weekends, I would go further afield. I spent a weekend at Busua Beach Resort, which was so peaceful and much needed after a busy week of placement. I loved immersing myself in the local culture.  

I strongly encourage any healthcare professional to undertake an overseas placement with Work the World!

It has made me realise how lucky I am as a healthcare professional to have the NHS in the UK and modern working conditions. I loved being immersed in the local culture; this was an experience to remember. 

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