- In this feature, we have the pleasure of speaking with Nurse Salako, a dedicated nursing intern currently gaining hands-on experience in Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos. As an intern, she is navigating the crucial transition from classroom learning to real-world patient care. In this interview, we will explore Nurse Salako’s journey into nursing, the challenges and rewards of the internship experience, and the lessons learned along the way.
1. Can you introduce yourself and tell me where you did your internship?
I am Omolabake Salako and I’m currently doing my internship at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, Lagos.
2. Can you walk us through the processes of application?
To apply to general hospitals in Lagos, you’ll have to apply to Health Service Commission (HSC), Lagos state, through a Google form. Hence, the process of application is through the recruitment Google form, sharable by link.
3. Did you have to apply to different hospitals before you got a spot?
No, I didn’t apply to anywhere aside from HSC.
4. How was it transitioning from a student nurse to an intern?
Pretty seamless. The environment at my hospital is very warm and welcoming, without prejudice or bias. The environment and people I met here made it seamless for me, I didn’t have to overthink the fact that I was a registered nurse and no longer a student nurse.
5. Did your internship align with your expectations? Why or why not?
Well, I didn’t have expectations. I really didn’t have any thoughts about how it should be, I simply dove into the experience. But, if I did have unconscious expectations, I’d say it definitely exceeded them.
6. Can you describe your first week of internship? How did you feel?
My first week of internship felt fresh. It was more of acclimatizing myself to the environment. The people I met from the first day of appointment were really amazing. So, I didn’t have any negative experience, because of that unexpected support system. Also, the nurses at my workplace were really excited to get to know us better and work with us. They were also very open to teaching and having us make mistakes. All of these made my first week, a good one.
7. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your internship?
I’d say one of the major challenges is the routine. The routine of waking up early to work and leaving late from work. It was very hard to adjust to, because as a nurse, you really have to be responsible for your time and accountable to your patients and colleagues.
8. How were you treated by senior nurses and doctors? How would you describe the level of supervision and mentorship you received?
I believe the doctor-nurse relationship has always been sullied with bad and unprofessional experiences. However, I tend towards the positives. My relationship with doctors is friendly and professional. The few issues I’ve had with doctors and vice versa were easily rectified, due to the open communication and rapport we had initially established. Regarding my senior nurses, the majority have been simply amazing and I’ll proudly say that anywhere. They’re literally been the best nurses and I’ve learnt so much directly and indirectly from them.
9. Were you given enough opportunities to practice key nursing skills?
Oh yes! As an intern, you literally have no choice but to practice key nursing skills. As the lowest in rank, most responsibilities are automatically passed to you, and that’s simply because you have to opportunity to also learn and become experts like our senior nurses. So, there are plenty opportunities to learn, except you are simply unmotivated.
10. How has the internship shaped your confidence and skills as a nurse?
Well, it has indeed transformed me from an amateur to competency. Procedures I saw as really difficult, ended up being really easy having done them. The obstacle was simply overcoming the fears and doubt I had in my mind. The internship has really moulded me into the competent nurse I never expected I could be.
11. What was your most memorable experience during the internship?
That’ll definitely be the conversations and experiences I’ve shared with my colleagues and senior nurses. I love the camaraderie among nurses and I thrived in it.
12. If you could change one thing about the internship program, what would it be?
The struggle that comes with internship placement. It’s ridiculously difficult to have a choice and secure your choice.
13. What advice would you give to nursing students preparing for their internship?
Don’t overthink the process. Enjoy your current experience as nursing students cause they’re priceless. Let internship come naturally, and do the right things at the right time to secure a placement. Do not settle.
14. Do you feel prepared for full-time nursing practice after your internship?
Why or why not?
Yes. Why is because I think internship is everything needed is transition into the professional nurse we tirelessly studied for. It avails you all the experiences and opportunities to truly identify the kind of nurse you want to become and solidify your practice.
15. What mistakes did you make during your internship that you would advise others against?
A mistake would be probably being too cautious of attempting “perceived difficult” procedures willingly at the beginning of my internship. But, internship will force you into doing them, no matter what, and you’ll find that you’ll excel in them. Sometimes, it’s good to take the first step in getting those experiences, willingly.