Nursing fellowship report: Visit to Bern University Hospital
In this article, registered nurse and urotherapist Ms. Tanja Marin (FI) shares her experiences during her EAUN fellowship at Bern University Hospital (CH), which took place from 24-28 February, 2025.
Ms. Tanja Marin: “The objective of the visit was to explore urological nursing practices and compare them those in Finland. I also aimed to gain deeper insight into the role of a neobladder nurse and related care pathways, to network, and to familiarise myself with various urology departments within the hospital.”
Day 1 – Endourology and urodynamic studies
On the first day, I observed endourological procedures such as ureteroscopic examinations, stent replacements, and stone fragmentation. I also followed urodynamic studies assessing bladder function. Notably, the hospital used the same patient information system as in HUS, which provided an opportunity to exchange practical insights into documentation practices.
Day 2 – Neobladder surgery in the operating room
On the second day, I had the opportunity to follow a neobladder reconstruction surgery from start to finish. in Finland, bladder removal surgeries are primarily performed with stoma, so witnessing the neobladder procedure was an invaluable learning experience.
I paid particular attention to:
- The role of the scrub nurse, who worked seamlessly with the surgeon
- Postoperative care, where the patient was first transferred to a medium intensive observation for 2 days unit before moving to the urological ward
Day 3 – The role of the neobladder and stoma nurse
In Finland, there is no dedicated neobladder nurse, and patients meet with a stoma nurse before surgery, but no structured post-surgical follow-ups are in place. In Bern, I followed the neobladder nurse (who was also a urotherapist), and the stoma nurse, both of whom were responsible for patient education and support.
Key observations included:
- Teaching patient’s intermittent catheterisation
- TENS therapy for bladder-related pain management
- Postoperative care for urostomy patients, managed by stoma nurses
Day 4 – Palliative care and specialized nursing practices
My fourth day was spent in the palliative care unit, where the focus was on patient-centred and individualised care. Over the rest of the day, I viewed specialised nursing procedures with a neobladder nurse, such as catheterisation of a catheterisation channel. This was particularly interesting, as such procedures are infrequent in my home country.
Day 5 – Ward work and nursing practices
On the final day, I followed ward nurses in their daily routines, noting some differences from Finnish practices. Particularly interesting were:
- Documentation and record-keeping, which included different billing-related reporting practices.
- Hospital stay durations: In robot-assisted prostatectomy surgeries, patient in Bern stayed hospitalised for 3-4 days, whereas in Finland, they are often discharged the following day.
Summary
The visit provided a unique opportunity to observe international best practices in urological nursing, bringing numerous new ideas that I can integrate into my work. The role of the neobladder nurse particularly stood out, and I am eager to explore ways to develop this role within my own unit. Additionally, I was impressed by how Swiss nurses play a significant role in long-term patient follow-up, and their patient-centred approach serves as model worth considering. I return home enriched with new experiences and valuable professional connections.
Special thanks to Christina, Sibylle, Cornelia, Paul, Dario, Anniina, Christine and everyone I met during this journey – this experience was truly invaluable! I highly recommend applying for the EAUN Fellowship programme. Even with moderate language skills, you can manage well, and the learning opportunities are vast!