"We are well aware of the developments in society, but we still have much to learn"
The Faculty of Nursing at the University of Akureyri, in collaboration with the Umeå network and NordPlus, hosted an international course for nursing students during the second week of April. Nursing students and presenters from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark came to Akureyri to participate and share perspectives and experiences from their countries. The reception committee welcomed the guests at Akureyri Airport, and Sigríður Sía Jónsdóttir, or Sía as she is commonly called, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, formally opened the course on the first day.
The course covered important and contemporary topics of gender identity and nursing. The presenters shared their expertise from various perspectives; healthcare professionals with extensive experience in gender-related issues talked about their work, and trans people and parents of trans individuals provided insights into personal experiences. The course was very successful and led to creative and informative student projects carried out by mixed student groups from the participating countries.
Jette Mebrouk, international coordinator for the Faculty of Nursing, managed this course while it took place in April. She points out that gender identity is a contemporary topic and is already to some extent included in the education of nursing students. However, she argues that “students have a pivotal role when it comes to cultural change”, and this course is an important initiative that she believes will assist positively to the development of a better understanding of gender identity in healthcare settings.
The students were inspired by the various presentations as well as the insights they individually brought for discussion. One of the topics discussed in the course was language. Margrét Unnur Ólafsdóttir, second-year nursing student, said: "With gender-neutral language, we can prevent harm, reduce discrimination, and make healthcare institutions places where everyone feels comfortable; places where individuals do not hesitate to seek help."
The Faculty of Nursing is planning to participate in another gender identity course next year, where students and teachers will meet up in Norway.