It's good to read

Hello again!

I didn't think I would manage it, but I am back on my laptop finally getting around to writing another blog. I have been completing an audit on the ward for my degree project which has required me to be in early-which included at 5am today on my day off. Good fun!

For those just heading into their nursing training or currently applying, you may or may not have read about the press around nursing in the recent years (depending how much you watch the news and read newspapers). It is key to be aware of the on-going changes going on within the profession, as this should help towards your learning, placements and career. A lot of attention at the moment is around the Francis Report, and you can either Google this or click here for a bit more information. The Keogh Mortality Review may be worth a look as well.

Previous to starting my nurse training, I kept an eye on the papers but in truth I didn't read around until I felt I was required to, and do regret that. I had attended the open day at Aylesbury campus and my main focus after this was applying and getting in. Once I had the offer of a place, my focus was on work at the time until university began. I threw myself into every opportunity; every meeting, rep opportunity and training. After my first year I did absolutely nothing in preparation for my second year, and really wish I had read about a bit! It is so easy to put things off that do not fall into the 'fun' category. I did everything to avoid getting on with things-organising, cleaning, rearranging folders, anything but pick up a book.

For those of you just applying or about to start, I would definitely recommend looking at the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) website which has a student area, along with the NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) website, especially The Code which you will hear a lot about over the next three years at uni, whether child, mental health, adult nursing or midwifery.

I can assure you that you will have some tough times ahead, but I think particularly with this profession you will need that to understand how nursing really is. I started university at the age of 26, and felt that I had nothing to learn about my character. I had to learn in the first year that I did not know everything and did need to listen, observe and absorb the information, which was difficult as I had been so used to working. I had to learn to take feedback and understand that everybody you work with works in a slightly different way with their own routines. Also as nursing can be very stressful, sometimes you just need to nod, smile and get on with things rather than to take things personally (but if you ever feel you're learning is being affected and you need extra support-the university and hospital have various people who are there to help and guide).

Now I am in the third year I am trying to follow my own advice. There will be things that cause you to have a bad day or just generally feel that a long shift will never end, but then there are the patients. If you are heading into nursing as you feel you are a caring person (a necessity!) then to know you have made a difference to a patient and/or their family to bring some comfort or make things better for them will  make your day. You may even like me meet patients who remind you fondly of your own relatives with their sayings or appearance, which reminds you just why you are there. My day yesterday was non-stop and very busy on the ward, then I had some positive feedback from the doctor which made me think 'I'm getting there'. It may feel at times like you have years to go and that is never ending, but believe me; soon enough you will be saying about how quick the last year went.

 

Juggling student

Hello again!

I've titled this post 'juggling student' as you will find over time during your study that for any course which requires part work experience you will be required to multitask.

I have always been very much a give one thing 100% at any one time, but I have found (especially during year three) that you are expected to work on a number of things at once. As previously mentioned I am currently on my first placement of my final year, and am working three 12.5hr shifts each week-including night shifts. I previously worked full time prior to this course and shift work was not a new thing to me, but back then I had the luxury of being able to fill my days off with social life, duvet days and other activities; none of which included study.

This week for example, I got back on Monday from a long weekend away catching up with my partner and to watch a gig. On the Tuesday I had planned to sleep all day in preparation for a night shift...this did not happen (wide awake by 11am). Following my night shift I got home yesterday morning, had some food then attended a two hour lecture at uni before getting home and collapsing into bed after 27hrs conscious. I am on two long shifts over the weekend and am catching up on a bit of study today. Naturally I am drawn to sleeping through the whole of today, but as I have a degree project to work on and an essay due in January, I must convince myself to use any days off wisely, despite my body's attempts of rebelling.


Admittedly I only need to attend three short lectures throughout this 10week placement, and this taking place following a night shift is a rarity for me. Part of me has been tempted to write off a few days off to do absolutely nothing and catch up over Christmas leave, but then throughout January-March I will be having an exam, an OSCE and giving a presentation, so I will need to start prep for that also!

My motivation to keep going is that this time next year I will be graduating. In around six months time I will be applying for jobs ready for a September start. Everyone has their own motivations. But you also need to find your own ways of coping and own rewards. For some it is a holiday to Ibiza. Others a concert. For some students they are also mums and dads, and I cannot begin to understand how hard working they are...although from observation I feel they have adapted and are more able to multitask, but they deserve so much credit in my opinion. I have bite size rewards in place. I am not seeing my partner for another month, but instead he is my reward at the end of placement when Christmas begins. No matter how manic things get, remember to take time out and switch off! It will help keep you going!

Thanks for reading, will say hello next week for a catch up and hopefully post a video in the next few weeks if I can figure out how to use my webcam!

Emma x

First ever blog-hello!

Hi to anyone reading and welcome to my first post on my first ever blog :)

I am now into my third month of my last year of a nursing degree and panic has started to set in. For those new to knowing how this course is laid out, I will give you a quick overview.

Over three years you attend a combination of university and placement. During the university time you are required to complete various graded work, including essays, exams and OSCE's. I was unaware of what an OSCE was, but basically it is a type of role play examination, in which you are observed and assessed in a simulation environment carrying out a set number of nursing tasks. Don't worry-you will hear plenty more of these when you start!

For the rest of the time, you are out on placement. This could be in a number of locations-hospital, community, prison-who knows! But during this time you are assessed on your practical ability and knowledge and graded at the end by a mentor you are assigned during the placement.

In year one and two I felt a bit more relaxed coming into a placement as I felt I was a student. If I was unsure of something it was ok, as I was only a student so I had plenty of time to read up on the task or situation for next time. But going into my third year felt a bit more pressured, as surely my third year mentors and other staff would see me as a final year student, so I should know what I am doing. But what if I didn't have the answers? This time next year I will be qualified, so I should be on the path to knowing everything...but I'm far off from that!

Due to feeling my grades were strong enough, I switched from a diploma course to degree over the summer as this is the way nursing is going (or gone as those now starting the course will only have the option of degree). To cut a long story short-I now am on placement doing 12.5hr shifts while alternating on my days off between essay work, my degree project and trying to see my partner-so welcome to third year!

My future posts will be more about what has been going on that week, but thought it best to set the scene for those of you new to this area. I had not previously had any hospital or care experience, as had worked for 8years in various jobs (cabin crew, poker club valet, business centre, store work...dabbled in everything but care!). I felt inspired to apply as my Gran had experienced poor care in hospital, and I wanted to do a better job and make a difference. Unfortunately by the time I had been accepted onto the course she had passed away, but I still feel inspired by my original reasons for going into nursing-especially with the bad press the profession has received in recent years.

If I were to try to offer any words of 'wisdom' or advice for those just about to start...or maybe already have started, it would be this;

• Do any work you are given as soon as possible. Some people like to work on essays last minute and that is what works best for them as they seem to thrive on pressure, but you are guaranteed to be given random group tasks or worksheets to complete, so just try to stay on top of it.
• You may take year one for granted while you are in it. I did. I thought lecturers didn't response instantly or were not giving enough support, but year two showed me how much we did! Year two felt like we were more expected to go out and do things for ourselves, so try to take as much as you can during year one!
• If anything is worrying you-talk it through with someone. There is always support somewhere, from those you study with to lecturers and those at the hospital. I have been a course rep since I started and feel that the sooner you ask, the more time you have to sort the problem.
• When going into placements-eat and sleep well! If you go sick during placement you are expected to make up hours, so look after yourself! It'll be worth it to have the summer and Easter leave to yourself!
• Make the most of being a student. When out on placement-ring different teams, embrace the fact you have the time to observe procedures and specialist staff as you wont have when you qualify.
• Rely on your diary. It is your friend, it will help to organise your life!
•  Enjoy it x
• Read the NMC-The Code
• Be careful what you put on Facebook!

Nursing is not this...

                                                                     More this!


Well that's about it for my first blog. Hope to see you back for my next blog and if anyone at any time has a question about the course or anything I have written, please feel free to do so. I wish when I had started that we had been given the opportunity to talk to a student further in to have a little more insight of what was to come, so if you ever feel the same-hello!

Ttfn!

Emma x