preparation for placement

Well I start my second placement tomorrow so fingers crossed I stay healthy this time :) .

It's in a surgical ward for babies so I'm smitten (I'm going through a broody stage which is scary lol).

Anyway I've rang up the ward, visited, met my mentor and co mentor and both are lovely.

I was able to look through their Portfolio Of Learning Opportunities (POLO) booklet which has given me some great information on the work that the ward does and the types of operations they treat. I've then been able to learn a little more about these operations by watching Campbell training video clips on youtube and by finding patient information sheets.

I then wrote down other areas I'd like to visit, skills I'd like to learn (I just jotted the three I thought were the most important) and some questions I'd like to ask. I bought this diary so hopefully it will help with the reflective essay I need to write before Christmas :P .

As the ward has a microwave, and you only get 1/2 hour per break (you get 2) I bought some microwave meals today, also most wards don't have a lot of tea and coffee etc. so I think it's a nice way to introduce yourself to the ward by bringing tea, coffee and sugar for staff to share - it kinda says thanks in advance.

And I got a tatty teddy badge yesterday for my uniform.

My bag is packed: my fob watch which is vital for doing obs, a little calculator on a keyring with helpful cards I made with info such as drug calcs ect (let me know if you want a copy - you'll have to laminate them yourself) my RCN pin, 3 pens, 2 notebooks, my name badge, my uniform + a spare set, my gel hand cleaner and my comfy shoes which I keep strictly for on the wards. I have a map of the hospital site too in case I need to visit the pharmacy etc.