I can't believe how quickly the time has passed by. It's taken me a while to get settled into the ward routine and even longer to stop feeling so scared and useless all the time (though I do still have my moments). So I wanted to do something positive to help other would be nursing students. So basically it's advice:
1. Learn what the ward routine is.
2. Keep a reflective diary of one occurrence every shift.
3. Get to grips with the equipment, look at what nasogastric tubes, cannulas, catheters, central lines, infusion (drip) pumps, intra venous lines, blood glucose monitors, needles, syringes etc are used for (VERY important). - I bought this kit before I started university and have found it quite useful
4.Learn what conditions you are most likely to see on the ward.
5. Take a bottle of water with you for your shift - you'll need it.
6. Plan what you would like to learn each week but make sure it is relevant to your competencies, accompanying a stoma nurse is a good idea but only if you can get quite a few competencies fulfilled for it.
Your mentor is not there to teach/train you by spoon feeding you what you need to know. Your learning is entirely up to you, no one will tell you you need to do better until it's becoming too late but do ask for feedback regularly.
It sounds scary but if you can get your head around all of this you'll do fine!
25 September 2008
11 September 2008
A busy shift
Well today was my second shift. They are 12 hour shifts excluding time out for breaks. But I have experienced a whole range of learning opportunities,.
For instance, today I was given permission to accompany a patient to the operating theatre. I have heard some scary stories of students fainting and I was nervous that I too would faint and embarrass myself. When I asked the operating nurse about it she said it is healthy people who are very concerned for the patient, who have not had a drink or something to eat and who have a normal to low blood pressure who experience syncope (fainting). But luckily I was fine. I found the scrubs comfortable but I don't think the hat or mask suited me :) . I was standing right beside the surgeon and could see everything. I was fascinated. I was especially lucky as the registrar was happy to explain the procedures that were being performed and the reason behind it. I was able to ask the staff members questions in between operations and just get a general feel for the theatre.
I left my placement today and yesterday with renewed determination (not that it has wavered since I started the course). My placement is an absolute pleasure to work in and the staff are lovely. I know I'll be sorry once these next seven weeks are over.
For instance, today I was given permission to accompany a patient to the operating theatre. I have heard some scary stories of students fainting and I was nervous that I too would faint and embarrass myself. When I asked the operating nurse about it she said it is healthy people who are very concerned for the patient, who have not had a drink or something to eat and who have a normal to low blood pressure who experience syncope (fainting). But luckily I was fine. I found the scrubs comfortable but I don't think the hat or mask suited me :) . I was standing right beside the surgeon and could see everything. I was fascinated. I was especially lucky as the registrar was happy to explain the procedures that were being performed and the reason behind it. I was able to ask the staff members questions in between operations and just get a general feel for the theatre.
I left my placement today and yesterday with renewed determination (not that it has wavered since I started the course). My placement is an absolute pleasure to work in and the staff are lovely. I know I'll be sorry once these next seven weeks are over.
09 September 2008
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.
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.
02 September 2008
Back after the holidays
Well I returned to uni yesterday after a lovely 4 weeks off. I've had more lectures on public health and the nurses role with regards to educating people to live healthy lives.
I enjoyed the practical we had on de-escalation skills, I feel I learned some very valuable tips if ever a serious situation arises. I'm also looking forward to the first aid practice we are having tomorrow.
I visited my next placement today, which I start next week. It was a lovely ward and I got a lot of useful information in the Portfolio Of Learning Opportunities. Looking through the book I was able to see what ailments are treated the most on the ward and have been able to find information about them so I can start my placement better prepared.
I enjoyed the practical we had on de-escalation skills, I feel I learned some very valuable tips if ever a serious situation arises. I'm also looking forward to the first aid practice we are having tomorrow.
I visited my next placement today, which I start next week. It was a lovely ward and I got a lot of useful information in the Portfolio Of Learning Opportunities. Looking through the book I was able to see what ailments are treated the most on the ward and have been able to find information about them so I can start my placement better prepared.
31 August 2008
End of the holidays
Well today is Sunday 31st August. I've really enjoyed the holidays. When I started uni I knew there would be a lot of work involved and I'd probably not get too many reminders from tutors etc. So I decided, rather than a standard calender I'd print off an A4 calender sheet for each month then have four of these months attached to my bedroom wall. I got the calender sheets from a website called sciral. Then all I do is take my diary with me and update the calender with dates from my diary and student timetables.
Well, doing this has meant I can see at a glance when assignments are due in. So far I have a work book to hand in the last Monday of November (with 6 mini-500 word essays), a 2000 word essay on the 1st Monday of December and an exam. Then another 2000 word essay on the 2nd Monday in December. Phew, that's quite a lot.
So what I did was start on a little bit each day during the holidays (sad I know) but I've got a 1st draft of one on the main essays done and one of the work book essays finished, plus other marked bits and pieces out of the workbook.
I've also got the all clear from my MRSA screening and had my final HepB jab. I just have to wait 2 weeks to get the serology test for antibodies and measles antibodies.
Well, doing this has meant I can see at a glance when assignments are due in. So far I have a work book to hand in the last Monday of November (with 6 mini-500 word essays), a 2000 word essay on the 1st Monday of December and an exam. Then another 2000 word essay on the 2nd Monday in December. Phew, that's quite a lot.
So what I did was start on a little bit each day during the holidays (sad I know) but I've got a 1st draft of one on the main essays done and one of the work book essays finished, plus other marked bits and pieces out of the workbook.
I've also got the all clear from my MRSA screening and had my final HepB jab. I just have to wait 2 weeks to get the serology test for antibodies and measles antibodies.
25 July 2008
A good end to a good week
Well I've only been scheduled in at uni 2 days this week so I've been enjoying spending time with my children which has been nice.
On Monday we had a practical on aseptic technique, learning why surfaces should be kept clean and how. Then we did some wound washing after trying to put on the gloves without contaminating the outsides of them - not as easy as it sounds!
I had a follow-up appointment at the hospital yesterday and the x-ray they took has shown my lung is completely free of pneumonia and there's no scarring.
There was a timetable mix-up today so I ended up traipsing around campus to find where everyone was, which was frustrating! But I got my two assignments back. I got 58% for one and 68% for another. I'd ideally like all of my assignments to be over 60% but a pass is 40% or over so I still passed both which I am pleased about. If all of my assignments in this year and the second year are over 50% I automatically start working toward an advanced diploma in my third year - there's no choice about it either!
I've got next week to go then I'm off for the summer - 4 weeks :)
On Monday we had a practical on aseptic technique, learning why surfaces should be kept clean and how. Then we did some wound washing after trying to put on the gloves without contaminating the outsides of them - not as easy as it sounds!
I had a follow-up appointment at the hospital yesterday and the x-ray they took has shown my lung is completely free of pneumonia and there's no scarring.
There was a timetable mix-up today so I ended up traipsing around campus to find where everyone was, which was frustrating! But I got my two assignments back. I got 58% for one and 68% for another. I'd ideally like all of my assignments to be over 60% but a pass is 40% or over so I still passed both which I am pleased about. If all of my assignments in this year and the second year are over 50% I automatically start working toward an advanced diploma in my third year - there's no choice about it either!
I've got next week to go then I'm off for the summer - 4 weeks :)
09 July 2008
Study week
Well I handed in my 2 essays and I get the results at the end of the month. I got a score of 83% for my poster presentation - we only had to do the presentation in front of our own group (4 members). I also prepared a supplementary sheet to read from to reiterate what I was saying. I also had a practical on CPR, we did this during our placement induction too but to get extra practice on a baby, child and adult was really useful as was the feedback and I feel more confident about it now.
This week is a study week - though I do have to attend a collaborative learning workshop. Basically I meet students from other branches of nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy with the purpose of learning from each other so once we're qualified we talk to each other - it's a shame we don't do these with trainee doctors too.
Never mind. I bought the latest student edition of the Royal Marsden handbook of clinical nursing procedures, I have a much earlier edition and find it very useful.
My chest x ray is in 2 weeks so hopefully the pneumonia will have cleared and I'll be able to go to my next placement in September - a post ICU ward, I'm looking forward to it and hoping the 12 hr shifts wont be too much (just keeping awake for 10 hrs is a bit hard lol).
I've enjoyed the week off but it would perhaps have been better spent if we'd been given a suggested reading or activities list, otherwise it's more like leisure time.
I've signed up to the Royal College of Nursing student road show. since I'm a member I get in free though I did have to hand over a deposit of £10 which is worth it. I've put my confirmation letter in my PPDF as it seems good evidence.
This week is a study week - though I do have to attend a collaborative learning workshop. Basically I meet students from other branches of nursing, midwifery and physiotherapy with the purpose of learning from each other so once we're qualified we talk to each other - it's a shame we don't do these with trainee doctors too.
Never mind. I bought the latest student edition of the Royal Marsden handbook of clinical nursing procedures, I have a much earlier edition and find it very useful.
My chest x ray is in 2 weeks so hopefully the pneumonia will have cleared and I'll be able to go to my next placement in September - a post ICU ward, I'm looking forward to it and hoping the 12 hr shifts wont be too much (just keeping awake for 10 hrs is a bit hard lol).
I've enjoyed the week off but it would perhaps have been better spent if we'd been given a suggested reading or activities list, otherwise it's more like leisure time.
I've signed up to the Royal College of Nursing student road show. since I'm a member I get in free though I did have to hand over a deposit of £10 which is worth it. I've put my confirmation letter in my PPDF as it seems good evidence.
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