jenlawrence88
Diary Dude
Global user
Registered: 10-2008
Posts: 21
Karma: 1 (+1/-0)
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Week 6 of first placement - Complete
Hello!
So last time I blogged I wasnt very far itno my placement and I was still working alongside the carers, which was a brilliant way to start because id never done caring before & its a good way to get to know the residents.
Anyway after week 3 of placement we had a week in Uni and then returned for week 4. This was the first week I spent with my mentor along with the nurses. It was very daunting at first but I soon became more confident. I have learnt so much already, Ive been helping with the drugs rounds, simple wound dressings, some care planning, ive learnt to put up a PEG feed & how to flush it through/give meds through it, Ive been to watch a CT Scan, been to fracture clinic, im starting to learn some common drugs used in the home, ive been practicing my basic observational skills (weights, resps, pulse, BP's, urinalysis etc), ive seen a few urinary catheters being inserted and watched a supra-pubic cathetar being changed, ive watched blood being taken, drugs being administered IM.. oh god i could go on and on..
Its been flipping brilliant. Ive now got 1 week Coursework week (just gotta go to uni tomorrow for 30mins to hand in placement book), then 1 week Assessment (2 days at uni), then 2 weeks Annual Leave. So ive counted that as 4 weeks off all bar 2 days and 30 mins lol. Then another 2 weeks at uni (but only actually in for 6 days), then its back to the nursing home for 3 weeks, 1 week uni, 2 weeks insight placement at a Learning Dis place, back to nuring home for a week then its Uni and next placement. (Dont know next placement yet though).
Ive completed Module 1 (Mental Health) now (omg how scary!) and im 1/4 of a way through 1st year. I can see that these 3 years are going to fly by!!! Next module is on Nutrition i do believe, but I think we are incorporating Child Nursing into this one.
I have to say, when I first started the course and was hearing all the medical terminology for the first time, I did wander whether I was going to be smart enough to pull through the course, but I have found out that once I get out into placement all that I have learnt just slots into place. This course seems to be very much self learning, most is learnt on placement, some guidance is given at Uni and the rest is for you to figure out yourself and to be honest, i really enjoy learning this way!!
I bloody love being a student nurse! All bar the terrible money we get paid 
The bank work is getting there slowly but surely, I was given a number to call to book my induction, took a week to get through to the woman as she only works till 12.15pm every day and is constantly on answer machine when you call. Finally got through and booked it half july/ half aug. Then I put the phone down and realised i could fit it all into july only to find i couldnt get hole of her for the next 3 weeks!! (no word of a lie!). On friday i called yet again to hear the voicemail had changed to "I am now on 2 weeks annual leave..." followed by another ladys number. Thank goodness ive got it all sorted and I am due to train mid July. How frustrating!
Apparently its 3 days Trust induction and 2 days on a ward (crazy? Why would they send you onto the ward without the HCA training?), then the following week is 3 days HCA training, day on the ward, HCA exam, then i think we have to do so many supernumerary shifts.
Sounds good! I am so ready to start and get myself some money.
Anyway enough of my mindless blabber, Im off! Thanks for reading  xxx
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14/Jun/2009, 4:03 pm
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