What a fine day it is - the first of june!! I cannot believe how fast time has gone! I started this course on the 20th Feb and it feels almost like yesterday!
Today I'll still be talking about clinical placements but I'll be writing up a guide! I'll be explaining everything you should expect for your first day, what you should bring and what to do and what not to do. Enjoy!
What to bring
*Yourself - Kinda obvious but would be very hard without
*A fresh, clean and crisp uniform - The night before make sure your uniform is ironed, washed and hung-up on a hanger. You want to make a good impression, after all.
*An A5/A6 notepad - This is very important because on your first day you will learn a lot!! By writing these things down, you can research them later!
*Comfortable shoes - They always stress 'presentation' at university before you start placement. But sod that! You'll be on your feet a lot. Actually, you'll be standing about 95% of the time so pick out shoes that are FLAT and COMFORTABLE. They dont have to look particularly pricey and they dont have to stand out or anything. Just make sure they ensure comfort and are black. (It helps to check your trust policy too!)
*Your phone - bring this as your mum will no doubt want to ensure you are getting on ok but keep it in your locker, not on your person.
*Your practice assessment documents - this is very very important. Dont lose them eight because they have to last the whole three years!!
*Tea bags and your lunch - Normally you can't use the hospital tea bags because they are 'only for the patients' so bring your own. Or buy some at the hospital shop.
*An clear, open mind, ready to take in LOTS of information.
*A smile
What to expect of your placement
*Expect it to be busy - most wards/clinics are, so be prepared to come home feeling exhausted!
*The other staff nurses and HCAs might not be so friendly towards you - this is quite a common occurance but, to be fair, expect this when you start any new job. People in general are xenophobic or just hate training up new people. Dont take it personally. Also they might just be too busy to talk that much. Theres more time to chat on break, I suppose.
*Expect to meet lots of new people and remember lots of new faces - remember that you have to not only remember the faces and names of the patients but also the faces and names of the people you are working with!!
*Expect to be standing 95% of the time - when you get the chance, take a minute just to sit down. I don't mean everytime your at the nurses station, steal a chair for half an hour! I mean, just get the weight off your feet when you have a spare minute because you are bound to be tired and stressed.
*There will be doctors everywhere - well, maybe a bit of an exaggeration but you will see them pretty much everyday and they might ignore you. Try to take the initiative and ask them what they are doing and why. Most dont mind explaining things if they aren't too busy because most of them love their jobs!
What your placement will expect of you
*Be on time - Now, I didn't actually do this very often, I must say. And in my mid-point interview, the staff nurse kind of said, gently-put, that I should 'manage my time better'. Which was pretty fair enough.
*Relating to the last point, take on any advice they give you and do so in a humble manner - we all make mistakes and need advice from time-to-time. But try to accept anything they say because they know best. They are only trying to help you learn.
*Be honest - If you dont know how to do something, say. If you do something wrong, say. If you need help with something, say.
*Be willing - At handover, dont stand chewing gum with your arms crossed. It looks like you actually dont want to be there and you dont actually want to learn. Ask if you can take that cannula out, ask if the nurse you can document something, ask if you can take this patients obs, ask if you can go down to the blood bank for them, ask if you can order a patients TTAs for them. Not only does it show that you are willing to learn, they also realise that you are bothered and they may help you to seek out learning oppourtunities.
*Be tidy - Kind of said this before but I'll say it again because its so important. Remove jewellery, dont wear a ton of make-up, remove false nails and eyelashes. Dont chew gum and wash your hands before handover or touching a patient. Tie your hair up. Most things in nursing are common sense and this certainly is. So make sure you act and LOOK the part.
*Show commitment and be a responsible learner.
*Ask questions - they will not expect you to know everything neither will they expect you to have had care experience before because, believe it or not, a LOT of student nurses actually haven't had any care pexperience before their first placement. I didn't.
Adult learning
*You're not a sixth-form student anymore. You are responsible for your own learning which means that if you are happy to stand in the sluice (And, trust me, this happens!!) they won't come and fetch you and spoon feed you information. So, take the initiative.
*Make sure you keep your PAD docs up-to-date. This is vital as it is you who is responsible for getting the skills signed off. No-one else.
*On your days off, head down to the library and research some of the things you did not understand. If you are unsure what a colonoscopy is, open up the royal marsden and take a quick look. Or just research things online. It all aids towards gaining knowledge!
*On drug rounds, ask the nurse if you can take the leaflets that you inside the drug packets. These leaflets are amazing! They explain the uses of medication and how they work and are perfect for quick reference and gaining knowledge quickly and easily.
*Also, this might be an unconventional one, but you can neevr start learning too early. Even if its your first day, ask the nurse if you can give a patient their Clexane injection, ask if you can prepare medication for IV, ask if you can conduct a blood glucose test. It's good to start early. Better than starting late, anyway.
*Also, always maintain a professional character, you are representing yourself and the university, remember.
*Remember that you are responsible for your own actions.
*Research into your ward specialties.
*Remember your rights as a student and that you are classed as supernumerary and DO NOT count in the numbers.
*Moreover, bear in mind that you DO NOT 'work' there. You are a student and are gaining insight to the work of a nurse. You are there to learn as well as work. Also, you are not under an employment contract and therefore don't actually have the rights of an employee. But refer to a previous post entitled Guide To Choosing A Trade Union which explains why joining a trade union as a student nurse is important.
*Another thing: There will be times when you are sooo busy, yet again there will be times when you'll be sooo bored. When times get boring, don't just sit around. Take this advice: Open the BNF. Every ward has one. Or check that the patients have everything they need and are comfortable. Or just sit and chat to the patients. Fill in some charts. Take a look at the hoards of folders they have on infection control or ward policy. Ask the hostess if she needs any help handing out the trays of food. Check all documentation has been filled in and none are nameless or without a date etc.
*Also, remember to reflect upon mistakes. You can write it down or just vent on your mum! But remember CONFIDENTIALITY!! Dont use a patients name or any other personal detail.
Your mentor/s
*They are there to help you learn, yes, but they are there as a support network. If you are having troouble with something, they are there to sort out the issue you are facing. So, talk to them. That's their job. I actually have spoken to a few other students who have had many problems with their mentors i.e. their mentor didn't speak to them or their mentor was a 'rude cow' or whatever. Well, then, don't just complain about it, do something! Go to your clinical practice facillitator and they will also help you.
*Chase your mentor up to fill in documentation for you, as well! don't leave your PAD docs 'til the last week because you might not get it all done!
Other students
*On your ward, you will almost definately be with other students. These student may be older, younger or more experienced than you. Make sure you talk to them because they will help you as well. On my ward I had a 29-year-old, second-year (almost third-year, actually) who helped me so much. When the other nurses weren't available, she would teach me how to do things e.g. taking out a cannula or doing mannual BP. She also helped me on my assignments as well!
Don't forget to keep in contact with the other students in your cohort too! They act as a great support network for you.
Furthermore...
Make sure that you don't do anything that the university has told you you must not do. i.e. don't touch an IV pump unless a nurse is there to supervise you, don't give an intramuscular if you haven't done the theory for it. Again, kinda common sense but when you are in a difficult situation it's hard to maintain your objectivity.
Ok, I think that's all! I hope you have had a good week and I hope this post has been of some interest to you! Have a good weekend,
Emily x
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