Hannah Marie Helm is a master student at Health Economics, Policy and Managment at the University of Oslo.
– My studies in health economics, policy, and management have given me a strong foundation in healthcare systems, organizational structures, and regulatory frameworks, Helm explains.
During her internship, she has been able to apply this knowledge in real-world settings by observing how policies and regulations impact daily operations in a nursing home.
– For example, my coursework on healthcare financing has helped me better understand how budget allocation works in publicly funded institutions like Vinderenhjemmet. Additionally, my studies on leadership and organizational behavior have provided me with insights into how management decisions affect both staff and resident well-being, she says.
How was the application process?
– While searching for internship opportunities, I struggled to find positions that aligned with my interest in management and leadership within healthcare. I wanted a hands-on learning experience in the administrative side of healthcare, so I took the initiative to reach out to various facilities on my own. Vinderenhjemmet, a nursing home under Oslo Kommune, was the only facility that responded to my inquiry.
The management team was welcoming and eager to help me find a suitable opportunity. Although they were not actively seeking interns at the time, after meeting with them and explaining the learning experience I was hoping to gain, they were more than happy to offer me the chance to intern alongside a ward nurse at their facility.
What does a regular day at work look like for you?
– A regular day for me involves shadowing an ward nurse to gain hands-on insight into the field. My role is to observe, learn, and ask questions that arise while working alongside an experienced professional. The ward nurse I follow has a busy schedule filled with various meetings, which I attend with her.
Each morning, we review her schedule, and she provides an overview of the topics for the day’s meetings. Throughout the day, I accompany her to these meetings, and afterward, we discuss any questions I have. These meetings cover a range of topics, including interviews with potential employees, disciplinary discussions with staff, weekly facility update meetings with unit leaders, monthly meetings with the facility doctor regarding residents’ health, daily staff meetings to review patient updates, and leadership meetings focused on implementing new projects, among others.
What have you learned so far during your internship?
– So far, I have gained valuable insights into the daily responsibilities of healthcare leaders and the complexities of managing a long-term care facility. I have previously worked in a management role in a nursing home in the U.S., and this experience has allowed me to observe and learn from the differences in nursing home operations between the U.S. and Norway.
I am currently writing my master's thesis, which is a comparative literature analysis of policy regulations in nursing home procedures in the U.S. and Norway. Since I have been researching Norwegian nursing home practices, the opportunity to observe these practices firsthand has significantly advanced my knowledge and broadened the scope of my research.
This experience has also deepened my understanding of how different healthcare systems approach elder care, workforce management, and regulatory compliance, which will be valuable for my future career in healthcare leadership.
How has your integration as an intern into the workplace been so far?
– My integration into the workplace has been smooth, thanks to the welcoming and supportive staff at Vinderenhjemmet. Although I do not speak Norwegian fluently, I am able to understand norwegian conversation pretty well. I was initially nervous about the fact that I do not know so much Norwegian, but with my basic understanding, it has been a great opportunity for me to advance my norwegian skills.
The ward nurse I am shadowing has been very open in explaining her role and including me in relevant meetings. The staff has also been very approachable, which has helped me feel more comfortable in the environment.
What would you say to other students considering doing an internship?
– Doing an internship is one of the best ways to apply what you’ve learned in your education to real-world settings. It provides valuable insight into how your skills and knowledge translate into the workplace and helps you discover which roles may be the best fit for your future career.
Actively learning in a professional environment related to your field offers a depth of experience that coursework, readings, and lectures alone cannot provide. I also encourage students to take the initiative and reach out to potential internship sites, even if they are not actively recruiting interns.
Many professionals are eager to support students in advancing their careers, and even if you don’t receive a response or face rejection, there is no harm done—only the possibility of new opportunities.