And so placement begins...

So I have completed my first week of placement and it has gone so quick!

I had a mad dash into town to go and buy some shoes and I've been wearing them in around the house. I did want some trainers as they're usually a lot more comfortable but needles can easily go through them.

And it is in our portfolios to wear black sensible smart shoes for placement. 

Ironic thing is a lot of learning disability is in the community so I don't even know if I will be wearing them much! 

I rang up my placement again on the Friday before hand just to ensure I had everything right in my mind about how to get there, where to park, if they charge for parking and if I'm needed to wear uniform. 

I have to wear mine so at least I'm getting my money's worth! We had to pay £160 for our uniform so it's always good when you can wear it. 

For our off duty the staff have been really flexible and so helpful as they know students can live anywhere and may not be in close proximity to the hospital. They have asked us what we prefer to work and if we want to do nights etc.  It does state that by NMC guidelines we have to do so many nights each year of the course.  In first year we have to do at least 3. So I am aiming to do that this placement.  That way I can see what happens at night and enable me to hopefully get some work done!  It also means that if I don't get chance to next placement or the one after, that I am covered! 

In my placement I am actually in a hospital so I am really enjoying that. Of all the years I've worked with learning disabilities I have never yet worked in a hospital. It has always been in the community which is what I love to do. But this placement has certainly opened my eyes.

My very first day we had an emergency situation so that was certainly interesting. I have dealt with challenging behaviour, done my first set of observations independently and unobserved. I then recorded this using a NEWS chart. I have done my first bm (blood sugar test) and given my first few insulin injections. I have also been to the dentist this week with a patient and I have had the chance to speak to many nurses who are more than happy to help.  Ive also done my first set of administering drugs under observation and I have learnt a lot! 

It has been exciting and exhilarating having done so much in one week.

My task for the weekend is to learn about the drugs we administer in this ward and how each one works etc. 

I am also aiming to learn about a few others things as we have new patients coming in all the time.  

It has been a whirlwind of a week and my mentor has been really helpful. I have managed to observe an ECG (electrocardiogram) being done, I have been able to get to know the patients and to understand how a learning disability hospital setting operates. It is definitely the most rewarding aspect of nursing, being able to converse with your patients and respond.  Especially if their communication skills are limited. This is where it counts in getting to know your patients.

My advice for the week? 

Be enthusiastic and get involved wherever you can. Most places you will go on placement will have had students before. And if the patients don't mind, observe every chance you get. Everything on placement will help you learn, no matter how small you think it may be.  And all that will help throughout university and into your future career. 

Extra Curricular

As I have been so busy and have neglected all you readers for the last 2 weeks, here are two posts in one day!

Dont all fall over with shock.

Today is my day off!! 

I am working all weekend in my part time job, then I hit placement on Monday. So today I am making the most of it and organising, tidying and all the other grown up stuff that seemingly sucks at times when all you want is to have a pyjama day! 

I just wanted to let you all know what I have been doing, or attempting to do in my spare(ish) time.

I started rowing at the university and thoroughly enjoyed it. However with other commitments i have not been able to carry that on as yet. As I have mentioned before, I volunteer with St John Ambulance.  These past two weeks I have also had an exam in that as well. I was being assessed on my first aid skills and ability to use a defibrillator.  As I am sure you can understand, it has been a very busy few weeks.  The exam for SJA was an all day exam of training and assessments.  This may seem a lot but it is worth doing if you can.  Those in St John do notice a surge of people joining in September time to look good on applications and then dropping out later in the year.  However, St John will allow you to learn a lot more.  I have learnt a lot more about First Aid as well as ECG's and treating patients.  We do a lot of courses in our weekly meetings just for information for everybody.  This has come in handy especially for my university course.  So I am glad I am doing it.  

As well as that, I have also been elected as a course representative for learning disabilities.  So this means that I have had to attend meetings for that and try to keep everyone on the course updated with such things.  The university is looking into various ways to improve the application and interview process for nursing, hence a lot of our input is required.  

It is good to do though as everything always looks good on your curriculum vitae. There are possibilities to go on from here and represent your area with the RCN. They have elections each year and then every several years depending on the post.  This is something that will keep you busy but will also allow you to keep updated with what is going on in the nursing world.  

Then on top of that I have also been working part time to try and ensure I have an income! The bursary does help, but for anything for social activities and unforeseen bills etc, a little extra income is always good.  As i start placement on Monday, I will need to fund travelling to that until I finish and I can then claim this back from the bursary department.  This will mean keeping very organised and documenting mileage, keeping receipts and looking at parking costs.  I did look at public transport, however due to location it just is not feasible. 

Then, I have joined the university gym to try and keep fit and healthy.  You will feel so tired at some points, so I find staying in shape and exercising is a good way to maintain a good sleeping pattern and keep your energy levels up (along with a good eating plan!)

Sometimes it is impossible to go or you just have so much else on ( revision ) but it has helped in meeting others too.

To summarise, I feel like a very busy bee! 

On the other hand, I know if I'm not busy, usually that means something needs doing and I am probably avoiding something. It's good to keep organised and keep on top of things.  And above all, talk to people if you do start to feel overwhelmed..  There are plenty of other students going through the same thing and may just feel the same way.   

Must dash, vets appointment to attend now! (For the rabbits, not me!)