Another result, another assessment

Why hello again!

As you will know from last week's post, I was anxiously awaiting my OSCE results as I had a gut feeling that I had failed. I hadn't felt that way throughout any of the course and on Monday somebody told me that the results were available at university. I jumped in the car and tried to have 'optimistic' songs in the car (don't laugh!)...something upbeat just to distract me from thinking about the result. I went to reception and handed over my ID to collect my results and the wait felt like forever. Even though I had told my mum that I wanted the results asap just to know, I was convinced I would be retaking in the summer. Then the result was handed to me...

An A? An A! How??? I was prepared to be over the moon for a D just to pass, I had written off any hopes of a 2:1 or even the possibility of a 1st but an A? I looked at the feedback and it was good! As none of us were sure of exactly which areas we were being assessed on, it was very early to assume the worse as things had been missed and we weren't sure whether these things were detrimental in terms of marking. I really was such a happy bunny...as was my partner who laughed at the fact I had been in such a state about it. I deserved that!

So, it was onto the next. Yesterday I had my 20minute presentation to introduce my degree project (service improvement). I think it went smoothly so should hopefully be finding out in the next week or so. I now have next week to study for my written exam but have spent the day out in the sunshine. After hours and days of sitting in front of my laptop I was getting cabin fever so needed to get out and stretch my legs and generally just switch off study. I also have only around 8 or 9 weeks left until my 26mile charity walk so thought it best I start training!

Well that's me for the week...pretty dull. I have three weeks until I see my other half but my thought is that if I keep my head down and focus on my study I will get the reward of spending a week off with him over spring leave. Well...he gets the reward as I'll be taking him away for a birthday getaway and putting my hand to a Chinese buffet...maybe the two years at catering college could come in handy for once!

Anyway, I shall leave you to your evenings, but please feel free to say hey and let me know what is happening in your worlds, as mine is rather dull and repetitive at the moment! Has anyone else been watching the Student Nurses program on ITV (bedpans and bandages)? Let me know what you reckon! 


Chat next week!

Em x

(P.S. received my written offer of employment in the post today and very keenly signed and returned it! I will still be attending the careers fair next Thursday and will let you know how it goes. Will also try to give you a few comments from other students on how they found the meeting potential employers as I do not have to worry about that bit but the majority of students will be)

Why Hello There!

Hello to anyone reading :)

Well this week has been a bit busy, how has it been your end?

I have had a week of university, photoshoot, funeral and am now currently at a Heathrow hotel working at an auction for the day...every penny helps!

We worked out the other day that my class has officially three more days of lectures left...EVER! I find myself living in countdowns! After the lectures we have four weeks of study leave and time for a written exam, and practical assessment (OSCE) and a 20minute presentation. Trying to break it down into chunks to try to avoid panic mode. I also have just over a week until a recruitment day to attend so really need to start doing a bit of research into the trust's visions and expectations.

With any work we submit we receive both feedback and grade. The way it works now is that within 15working days after submission we receive online feedback and then 20working days after submission the grade to try to encourage students to read the feedback thoroughly, digest and learn from both positive and constructive comments. We received our first feedback of year three yesterday for an essay submitted last month and you really do work at a higher level in your final degree year! All I can suggest is that if you are given information at the start of Year three advising how to write at a higher more academic level, read it! I felt quietly confident of this essay and it appears my content is good but my paragraph spacing and overuse of 'direct quotes' needs to be addressed, so at least my writing was on the right track, I just need to up my game with presentation and interpretation of quotes. There did seem to be a bit of tension in the class as other students reflected on their feedback, as you try to work out whether it is positive or negative, trying to estimate what grade you will get the following week. We are also asked to self grade our work before submission, so when a lecturer comments that you have not been generous enough or have over-graded we make a mad panic to refresh our minds of what we awarded ourselves!

A few students in the class have already started attending open days and interviews with one I know being offered a job. I am so used to applying for work a month or two before starting, but here you basically are encouraged to start up to seven or eight months beforehand! We are motivated to get good grades but there is a nice satisfying feeling that the majority of us will be offered a job before the grades have all come back, and are happy to have us as long as we qualify. So make sure you present well at interview as an amazingly caring and compassionate nurse! Personality seems to be a big part of it.

Right, I should get back to bidding, will see you next week (hopefully prepared for the open day!) Am still hoping to pop up a video after the day just to reflect on how it was and what was involved to give you a heads up :)

Em x