Now all of the theory work is in...

Hi everyone!

Well today it is finally a weekend day in which I have no more essays due in and guess what, the weather is miserable! Typical! I managed to write my last essay over last weekend and submitted on Monday and am feeling quietly confident about it. I included a lot of good quality references so think it will do!

On Thursday I received my feedback from my degree project online. In our first year the way they released grades and feedback changed, and they decided to give students feedback a week before receiving the grade for that piece. The plan there was if they released it that way students would pay more attention to the essay feedback rather than focus just on the grade which seems to have worked, but the next week wait can be torturous for some students. I was fortunate to receive quite positive feedback stating that I had been 'a tad modest in my self grading' so I can only assume I have been graded better than the grade I gave myself. They ask students to complete a self grade for work to see whether you are under or over estimating the level you are working and the results can be quite interesting.

Ward rounds can really promote MDT learning

So other than submitting my essay, I worked Wednesday-Friday this week and it went smoothly. I have just under four weeks left and it's approaching so quickly! I have a few things still to get signed off in my skills log, and am still to spend a couple of days working with others in the hospital such as the safeguarding nurse and the bed management team. I have continued to really enjoy taking part in the daily ward rounds, and felt amazing on Friday when one Consultant told me he was very impressed with me and that I will excel in the profession. I also sometimes take for granted how much patients pick up. I had felt very bouncy on Friday with the sun shining and the weekend on my doorstep and one female patient asked me how I manage to stay so smiley all of the time, but I generally find it quite easy the majority of the time. I know it wont always be like that, but this past week I can say I enjoyed all of it, and got to work with some really lovely staff and patients. I hope I never take that for granted.

Another happy note was that I found time on Thursday afternoon to pop to a car dealership to have a browse, and despite not planning to buy a car until summer I test drove one and am collecting on Friday. Forgot how much I have missed having my own car, it has been three years now and just having the freedom to jump in and go places rather than relying on a bus or train will be amazing!

Following submission of my essay earlier in the week, I have made a list of everything else outstanding to complete before I submit my portfolio in four weeks. Today I am working on two reflections, with tomorrow focussing on placement summaries and starting on a workbook. Other than that it is more tidying up my work than anything and ensuring that it is structured in a way to show evidence of my learning, and contributing towards the university being satisfied that I can be placed onto the nursing register. After those few bits I guess it is a case of clearing away my books and starting to organise ready to move to the south west. I have booked a few things up for summer leave such as camping in Wales, a theme park and a couple of trips to London while I am living so local. Despite living within such easy reach to London for the majority of my life, I am still yet to visit Harrods or do an open top bus tour!

Well I hope you have all had a good week, good luck with your plans and I will talk to you next week :)

Em x