Thaira, a final-year nursing student from Thomas More University in Belgium, has always dreamed of gaining experience abroad. With a strong interest in psychology, child development and social challenges, she hopes to become a social nurse after graduation, supporting not only patients’ medical needs but also their broader well-being.
Currently rotating in AHC’s in-patient department 1 and 2, Thaira quickly discovered that working in a paediatric ward in Cambodia brings both rewarding and challenging moments. Coming from a system where wards are small and often have only four beds, she initially felt overwhelmed in a ward with more than 20 beds, especially when several children were crying at the same time.
“It was a bit overwhelming at first,” Thaira said. “But it’s inspiring to see how the team here sometimes has to improvise. Even with fewer tools than we have in Belgium, they manage to get the job done and care for the children so well.”
Thaira was surprised by the collaborative ward rounds, where nurses and doctors work closely together in the same ward. Throughout her rotation, Thaira has gained new clinical knowledge and confidence.
“Here, nurses have much more responsibility,” she explained. “They are responsible for making nursing diagnoses and designing care plans for patients. It is very important that we document everything correctly in order to communicate effectively with doctors, which often happens immediately.”
Through a collaborative working environment, our clinical team supports medical students in enhancing their critical thinking. This experience helps them clearly connect diagnosis with care planning, further strengthening their clinical skills.
“Because of this experience, I am now able to link diagnoses with care plans more clearly, which has boosted my critical thinking and nursing skills. Doctors are more present in the ward, and nurses can communicate with them directly.”
This internship experience has reshaped her perspective on healthcare. Sharing her final thoughts, Thaira said, “It is really amazing to see this hospital. When good people come together, we can make a change. Making healthcare accessible for less fortunate families is very inspiring.”
