Hi,
I’m Amy, your Vice President Education and Welfare (Uxbridge and Aylesbury). I have recently just completed my nursing journey and was based on the Uxbridge Campus, and I'm currently awaiting to go to board at the end of October. I wanted to reach out to all nursing, midwifery and allied health students as I understand that managing placement throughout your degree may become challenging at times. I know there were some times where I struggled and I want you to know that is ok.
I’ve put together some top tips and placement must-haves that will hopefully be of some benefit for you.
My top tips
- Kindness - surround yourself with kindness and always remember to be kind, even in times when we may not get that kindness in return.
- Organisation - Try and be as organised as you can, this will really help you with juggling many responsibilities.
- Prepare - This is key, the more prepared you are, the easier you will manage. Get a diary and keep up to date with your emails and blackboard.
- Reach out - If you need support, please reach out and don't bottle it up. As well as your friends and family, the Students' Union and University are also here to support you.
- Build connections - Having connections that will benefit not only you but others will support you whilst on placement as it can become lonely, especially if you are the only student at your placement. It's so important to have a good professional relationship with your personal tutor and lecturers too.
Before I started my first placement, I went out and bought so much stuff that I ended up not using and it was money I didn’t really have to spend. So, to save you from makig the same mistakes as me, here are my placement must haves.
- An extra uniform- I have had to change a couple of times due to others bodily fluids landing on my uniform.
- Pens - And lots of them. I put about 20 pens in my bag for my first placement and by the end of the 8 weeks, I had about 3 left, pens are like gold dust.
- Nursing ID and name badge - this is important. You need to be able to identify yourself to others and having correct uniform and ID shows professionalism.
- Water bottle - It's thirsty work and you really need to keep hydrated.
- Pen torch - I have used this so much on placements, really recommend.
- Pocket notebook - this is great as you can write down a medication you may not have heard of before and anything else you want to research without forgetting.
- Good pair of shoes - You're on you feet a lot! I got sketchers and they were so comfy and lasted the whole 3 years.
- Hair bands if you have long hair - My hair bands were forever breaking so make sure you have a good stash in your bag.
- Painkillers - Paracetemol and Ibuprofen were really handy for me whenever I had a headache or had any pains. I should be clear, this is only if you can take this, and it's only for your benefit not to give to others.
- Finally... a good bag for you to carry all your important bits in.
I wish all the best to those currently on placement, about to start their next placement, or those that will start their first ever placement. Please do reach out if you need any support, we're here to help you through every step of your time at University.
- Amy, Vice President Education and Welfare (Uxbridge and Aylesbury)