Hello, my name is Djenaba Zaynab Sow. I was born in Münster, Germany, to a German mother and a Senegalese father.

I grew up in southern Spain, where I also spent most of the rest of my life. I am a qualified nurse and have recently started working in a hospital in Zurich. I speak fluent German, Spanish and English.

What education did you do in your home country?

I completed my Bachelor's degree in Nursing and now have the title Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is comparable to the FH title in Switzerland. My training consisted of 8 semesters, 240 ECTS, with a total of 18 months of practical work in various wards and healthcare areas.

What kind of work ethic are you used to in your home country?

Although I believe that Spain has one of the best healthcare systems, unfortunately, healthcare workers are not given full credit because they are constantly overworked and understaffed, work processes are constantly changing, they are not permanently employed in the same department and they are confronted with many changes. And this leads to dissatisfaction. Most nursing staff are easily overwhelmed by the work processes.

Although there are many things here in Switzerland that could be improved and that I believe could be done better in Spain. However, I believe that the team is a very important part of working in the healthcare system and it is something that seems to be high on the list of priorities in Swiss hospitals. I believe that they place great importance on the team and the individual wellbeing of each employee and find ways to manage work overload.

What personal and/or typical characteristics from your culture do you take with you and are of benefit in Swiss healthcare?

I would describe myself as quite Hispanic in my manner and manners. I like to be open and friendly with my patients. I think formality is very important, but that doesn't mean you have to be distant and cold. Sometimes a warm smile, comforting words or kind gestures are the best way. Although we are overloaded with work, I think it's important to remember that a patient may be the fifth patient we see that day, but we are the only nurse they see. That's why it's important to treat them with kindness and patience.

What contribution has Swiss HRmed made to your career?

I am overjoyed at all the help Swiss HRmed has given me. I moved to Switzerland with my whole family, consisting of my two children, my husband and myself. It was a total adventure and although I'm used to moving from one country to another, it's quite different having children in your care. Swiss HRmed made the whole process a lot easier for me by guiding me through every step of the process, helping me with all the paperwork, guiding my steps towards the best solution for me and my family and always looking after me to check up on me and see if everything was going well.

A look ahead: What are your plans and ambitions here in Switzerland?

I definitely want to continue to grow in my field. I currently work in the trauma department and I think there is so much to learn in this department. However, I would like to continue my education and try to broaden my horizons by maybe doing a Master's degree or trying to develop internally.