A Day at University!

Monday 11th December - a day at university to find out more about the course and meet my fellow nursey folk...EXCITING! Apologies in advance that this is a little all over the place. The day was a blur and went so quickly...besides the fact that I'm recounting from well over a week ago and my memory never serves me well.

The day began with a little meet-up with a few other student nurses...it turned out to be around 10 of us. We had already spoken via a social networking site but it was brilliant to be able to put names to faces. We then travelled to uni, skidding all the way due to the wintery conditions, where we gathered and chatted nervously about what we might find out/do.

First we listened to a presentation on practice placements - where they might be, length of time, health trust areas and how we choose, mentors, etc.

We then got to meet the course leader who is AMAZING! She literally lit up the room when she spoke :) I love it when lecturers are passionate about what they do and how they teach, it makes soooo much difference. She spoke to us about the time we'll be spending in university. We found out that the entire course had changed in the September and that we were the second cohort to experience the new curriculum and structure. It includes a different placement structure, a longer period at uni for the first part of the course, as well as different assessments, including OSCEs and an Anatomy and Physiology exam - eek! It all sounds very exciting though! We were told that this university is the first and only to be awarded accreditation from the NMC - WOW! Proud to be a student nurse here :)

Then we heard from some current students ranging from year 1-3, from all different nursing fields. They (obviously!) have a wealth of knowledge. I just wanted to sit and chat with them all day. The information they gave us was absolutely invaluable. I can't believe that I could be doing that this time next year!

Finally we had to do all of the organisational things - CRB and information on bursary applications. We completed our CRB checks and I literally received mine in the post 5 days later - super quick! I've been trying to do the bursary application for ages and it's giving me such a headache! I can't understand why the form is like 40 pages long. Who designed it?! Crazy people :0p

Oh well, I'm off to battle with the dreaded form again. Hope you're all well!! :)

Quarter of a Century and Birthday Nursing Goodies

I have just recently had my 25th birthday...feeling a little old and perhaps not so wise.

My lovely friend, who is a Midwife, put together a brilliant present for me - a nurse survival kit. I thought I'd show you the contents as I'm very excited to use it all. 

Here it is...

The box - Nursing Survival Kit

Teabags: ...your emergency supply!

Chocolate: ...for when you need that 5am sugar rush.

Bristol Stool Chart Car Air Freshener:  ...because everyone's poop stinks!

ID Holder: ...this will remind you who you are after a 13 hour shift!

Nurse Scissors: ...you're only a "proper" nurse when you have a pair of scissors!

Tourniquet: ...for being a vampire.

Injection Pens: ...because you'll always lose your pens!

I LOVED this gift. It's so thoughtful and all of it will come in very handy in the next few months. I'm sure many other student nurses would love this too! :)

I hope you're all nearly ready for Christmas. It's approaching so quickly!

A Difficult Part of the Job

Yesterday at work, a gentleman returned to the home after a long stint in hospital with suspected pneumonia. The doctors had sent him home to receive palliative care, which basically means making him as comfortable as possible towards the end of his life. He isn't yet on the Care Pathway but the nurse says that it is quite likely that he will be in the next week or so unless he improves.

This man, let's say Gregory (not his real name), has had a very full life and turned 83 on 12th December, the day he returned to his home. He has a large family and wide circle of friends who have rarely left his bedside. Although these are lovely things it doesn't prevent me from feeling sad that his life may be coming to an end. This is where the job gets very difficult indeed, but it gives you an opportunity to do the very best you can for someone in a very vulnerable position. I think the only thing you can do in this situation is to think about the comfort and care you are providing and the wonderful, full life they have had.

I do hope that there is some sort of birthday/Christmas miracle for him and he pulls through and proves the nurse wrong. Come on Gregory!