While I had the privilege of visiting Finland for about 19 days I also had the amazing opportunity to stay in St. Petersburg, Russia for 5 days. While there we learned about the culture and healthcare system of the country just as we did in Finland. Russia has a socialist healthcare system but it works very differently than Finland’s. There are almost as many doctors as nurses in Russia which was a surprise to me. Largely that is due to the public opinion of nurses. If you’re not sure what I mean Google ‘Russian Nurse’ and you’ll understand; children, don’t try that at home or anywhere else. Also, the country is much larger and resources are not evenly distributed. 
That causes problems because taxes raised in the area directly affect how much money there is for healthcare. The regions of Russia with more oil and other natural resources sustain a much higher quality of care. It’s unfortunate but very true.
I’d like to touch on the nursing profession in Russia again. We were given the opportunity to visit with the president of the Russian Nurses Association and some of the faculty and students of the St. Petersburg College of Medicine. One of the most fascinating things I learned from those moments was the importance of professionalism. Those who have chosen to practice nursing in Russia usually feel like they have a calling to do so. They really want to make a difference in people’s lives. Because the stigma that nursing has there nurses aren’t given a
political voice, they don’t have the power to bring about the changes that will increase the quality of care they can provide. This is where the Nurses Association comes in. They are trying desperately to rally the nurses across the country to come together as one voice. Here in the United States the American Nurses Association has a very strong political voice and has made many important and vital changes to healthcare as we know it and will continue to do so. When in Russia nurses are listened to I have a strong feeling that healthcare there can be an example to the world of quality and change.
I’ll admit, there have been times during school that I have questioned my professor’s emphasis on professionalism. Now I understand what it would be like if there wasn’t professionalism in nursing. I would postulate that nursing would still consist of emptying bedpans, wiping bums and following every order from the doctor. That type of nursing was appropriate in its time but currently nurses are much more respected. And as such we have the potential to do so much for patients because they trust us.
I guess what I’m trying to explain is that I learned a great deal about Russia and about myself while in St. Petersburg. I learned a lot and had a great time. This last picture has nothing to do with anything I’ve said so far, it just makes me smile.
That causes problems because taxes raised in the area directly affect how much money there is for healthcare. The regions of Russia with more oil and other natural resources sustain a much higher quality of care. It’s unfortunate but very true.I’d like to touch on the nursing profession in Russia again. We were given the opportunity to visit with the president of the Russian Nurses Association and some of the faculty and students of the St. Petersburg College of Medicine. One of the most fascinating things I learned from those moments was the importance of professionalism. Those who have chosen to practice nursing in Russia usually feel like they have a calling to do so. They really want to make a difference in people’s lives. Because the stigma that nursing has there nurses aren’t given a
political voice, they don’t have the power to bring about the changes that will increase the quality of care they can provide. This is where the Nurses Association comes in. They are trying desperately to rally the nurses across the country to come together as one voice. Here in the United States the American Nurses Association has a very strong political voice and has made many important and vital changes to healthcare as we know it and will continue to do so. When in Russia nurses are listened to I have a strong feeling that healthcare there can be an example to the world of quality and change. I’ll admit, there have been times during school that I have questioned my professor’s emphasis on professionalism. Now I understand what it would be like if there wasn’t professionalism in nursing. I would postulate that nursing would still consist of emptying bedpans, wiping bums and following every order from the doctor. That type of nursing was appropriate in its time but currently nurses are much more respected. And as such we have the potential to do so much for patients because they trust us.
I guess what I’m trying to explain is that I learned a great deal about Russia and about myself while in St. Petersburg. I learned a lot and had a great time. This last picture has nothing to do with anything I’ve said so far, it just makes me smile.
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