Student Nurse, Placement Essentials / Advice?

[cherryscone]

Hi!

I'm starting placement (adult nursing) next week and need to know all the essentials I need for starting and any advice you have for those that have been in this position before 😊

TIA!

Comfortable shoes for definite! Little notebook for jotting down things like the codes for various doors and other info you pick up. One of those four-colour pens are handy. It was 15 years ago for me but I remember it well. Good luck!

I was a student ODP, not a nurse, but the following applies.

The most vital thing you need when starting any placement is making sure you have some proper support outside of placement/uni in place. Nurses eat their young.

A small padlock for a locker when you're on the ward, black socks, pen torch especially for nights, small pocket purse, are you going to be living in halls.

Lots and lots of pens. Drs will steal your pens. Always have a few spares

Yep pens, highlighter, small note book and a drink bottle oh and comfy shoes. The majority of nurses love having students so, I hope you have a great mentor. I for one love having student nurses. Good luck

Comfortable shoes
Cardigan
Pocket watch
Couple if pens
Quick easy meals ready to eat during each shift

Read up on you’re placement beforehand so you have some objectives in mind that link to your competencies and a pen!

Wtf? No, they don't! What a weird thing to say. I'm a nurse and my student left me this week and gave me such a lovely thank you card, fizz & chocolate. I was really touched.

I've been qualified a long time now but all my mentors were actually very nice.

In answer to your question, OP

Pens
A good packed lunch.
A little note pad.
Ask where things are, even things like gauze etc as sometimes if you are with a dr they may ask you to get things so it's best having an idea of where they are.
Comfy shoes - clarks are great.

Absolutely the 4 coloured pens; makes handover useful to have 1 colour for tasks, 1 colour for important info etc. agree with comfy shoes. Tbh being on time, clean tidy and ready to learn is more than enough! First day i would take a lunch that doesn’t need heating, just to find the layout of the breakroom, take a good water bottle too

Good for you and your student. I met many a student nurse in the changing room who were in tears due to their mentors (and other staff) being utter horrors to them.
I had to drop out of my own training due to bullying that led to a massive breakdown.

Thank you al so much!

I've visited my ward and have my shifts for the first 6 weeks, it's on an ophthalmology ward so it's very new to me!

I have heard the expression about nurses eating their young many times but it's never put me off

Thank you all again!

Label your water bottle. They walk otherwise.

Good luck @cherryscone

A lot of people are squeamish about eye stuff, but I am sure you will be fine.

Treat yourself to some really lovely pens and notepads (lets admit it, getting new stationary is the best bit of doing a course).

Never a truer quote!!!

I got the most fab stationary in the paper chase outlet a few weeks ago, can't go to a shop without looking at the stationary 😂

Why not ask if you can go into ophthalmic theatres while there after finding your feet?

Its a great add on to your learning and really broadens your experience. (It’s also FASCINATING!)

Good luck!

A small notebook for handovers, lip balm, pocket tissues, pen torch for neuro obs, pens, fob watch-all on you.

A rucksack with a plastic water bottle with sports lid, bamboo coffee cup with lid, tea bags in a little tupperware box (hospital ones are grim), painkillers, phone charger, snacks, lunch box, spork, headphones, spare pens, sanitary products, hair bobbles, dry shampoo and deodorant.

This might seem excessive but I regularly have needed stuff from my bag over the years, (or my colleagues are stealing it from me!).

Oh, and a hairbrush and hand cream!

I was a student 8 years ago and one thing I will always tell other students

Take a spare uniform in your bag, or at least a clean set of socks/undies.

Hospital wards are so so hot and you will no doubt be doing all the hard work like showering/bathing and toileting. You will sweat, you will get wet with patient fluids, shower and bath water..when I was a student nurse I felt like no matter what I did even wearing the shoe booties when showering my feet were always wet.. So take a fresh set to change into on your long break. If you can't do that at the very least take fresh socks.

In terms of your conduct, initiative, initiative, INITIATIVE!! If your buddy is busy and you can see something needs to be done and this job is within your scope of ability DO IT!

Oh yes @fifteenohfour I even carry a spare pair of pants because there's nothing worse than when your pants get wet (I work in mental health so there's a good amount of bodily fluids doing the rounds!)

The best students are the ones that spend time with the patients, use their time well and help out the HCAs where appropriate because those skills are vital.

You have to become quick and efficient at personal care, but also to be caring, not rush your patients, make sure they are fed and watered and take note of how they are most of the time so you can spot if they are becoming unwell or potentially deteriorating.

I once sat in a bowl of faecal vomit...I had forgotten I had put it down on the chair. Grim.
Just be keen, interested, on time, and friendly. It's always hard the first day or so of placement as everything is new again. You'll get used to it and do brilliantly.

My favourite buy every year was the academic diary 😊 so much choice and don’t forget to ask about student/nhs discount. Good luck with your placements.

Comfy shoes.
Large water bottle,
Lots of black pens,
Hand cream,

Nurses do not eat their young at all. We love having students. Especially good ones who do all your work for you!