Hi everyone, my name is Natasha and I'm a third-year adult nursing student, currently in my second semester and nearing the end of my studies. I have taken some time to reflect upon my last three years at the University of Wolverhampton, and wanted to share some thoughts with you about my journey!
A nursing degree was not an easy choice, a roller coaster of emotions, but the finish line is in sight and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far. Balancing studies and family has brought "mom guilt" along the way, but I remind myself that this is just a short phase of hard work for a rewarding career and a better future for my family.
I came from a non-healthcare background, I used to be a "mad scientist," teaching kids how to make slime and launch rockets. However, covid hit, my son was a little bit older and the time felt right for me to begin my nursing journey. Taking that leap was daunting; the coursework felt overwhelming at first, but with the support of our lecturers and the friendships I’ve built with classmates facing similar struggles, I soon found my footing.
At Wolverhampton, our placements are announced about four weeks in advance, which helped me plan childcare and arrange my schedule. Wards start at 7 a.m. and without my parents’ support, getting to the beginning of each shift would have been a real challenge. Being there on time has shown me how vital those early starts are for patient safety since the handover begins promptly at 7. On the rare days I’ve started later due to training, I’ve definitely felt the difference, as I was playing catch-up all day. Building positive relationships with the staff can help. The turnover of students in placement areas can be so high that some staff can’t remember if they have met you before. I always made sure I said hello and announced my name to anybody new I encountered and asked for theirs. Cleaners, HCA’s, other nurses, doctors, other professionals. I found that this enabled me to settle in better to the placement area and allowed me to call someone by their name if I needed help.
When I started, I wasn’t sure which area of nursing I wanted to focus on, so I stayed open to every opportunity. This approach has led me to areas I hadn’t considered such as working in theatres or becoming a specialist nurse and allowed me to grow in unexpected ways. Now, as I approach the end of my journey, countless possibilities are open to me.
I’m excited to earn my pin, officially become a registered nurse, and watch the last three years of hard work finally come to life. Bring on July graduations!
Below are some of my hints and tips for making sure you make the most out of your time on placement!
Getting Ready for Placement
Essential Items:
- Pens: A multi-colour pen is super useful for writing and marking in different colours during handover. A highlighter can also come in handy.
- Notebook: You’ll receive a lot of information during your shift, and it’s tough to remember it all at once. A notebook will help.
- Fob Watch: Crucial for accurately taking patients’ observations.
What You Can Do:
- Contact the Ward: Call the ward two weeks before your placement to get your allocated off-duty schedule.
- Check Shift Patterns: Always ask about the ward’s shift patterns to ensure you arrive on time—not too early or late.
- Log Your Hours Promptly: Make sure to log your hours in your EPad at the end of each shift. It’s easy to forget, and hard to fix later.
- Get Email Addresses: Ask for the email address of the registered nurse you’re working with; it’s required for logging your hours in the EPad.
Did you know?
As well as our student finance loan, we can also apply for the Learning Support Fund which is a £5000 a year bursary (so you will not need to pay it back). If you have children, they will offer an extra £2000.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience! Ask questions, seize learning opportunities, and remember you are making a difference in patients' lives. While you may forget the kindness you show, someone will always remember it.