University of Aberdeen, UK

Chan Kin-fung | Year 3 Bachelor of Nursing (Full-time) student

Scotland is a lovely country with pretty landscapes, energetic cities and kind people. The first Scot that I met in Aberdeen was Mr Keith Jensen, who showed me around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. He invited me to join him for dinner, and importantly, he offered me opportunities to shadow with paramedics and an advanced nurse practitioner.

I have had a strong interest in emergency medicine since I was small, when I dreamed of becoming a paramedic, riding an ambulance and saving lives. Shadowing with paramedics and an advanced nurse practitioner was a unique opportunity to immerse myself into the culture and gain invaluable experience in emergency medicine. From responding to emergency calls to providing on-scene medical care, from assessing the patient at A&E to making diagnoses, paramedics and nurse practitioners play an important role in saving lives. I remembered that once I was responding to an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) call with Stonehaven crews, Fiona and Faye. When we arrived at the scene, the rapid response unit was already there. The patient was conscious, and CPR and rescue shock had been given by a bystander. In the ambulance, I assisted the paramedic in taking the vital signs and conducting an ECG. The patient was directly sent to the Cath Lab and received angioplasty. I was surprised by the public knowledge about CPR and applying advanced life support (ALS) in real life.

Shadowing paramedics and nurse practitioners in Scotland has exposed me to diverse patient populations and broadened my understanding of emergency care. The exchange life in Scotland, combined with that experience, has given me an unforgettable experience that has not only shaped my career aspiration but also reinforced my desire to become an emergency nurse. Once again, a big thanks to Keith and his family for this unique experience in Scotland. I am grateful for their support and belief in my potential. Shadowing with Mrs Aga Jensen (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) and colleagues will undoubtedly shape my career. I am looking forward to meeting them again in future.

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