Student nurse survival

There is no other student like a student nurse. We are put out on placement for 37.5 hours a week with no pay, have 6 weeks annual holiday with the average student getting 14, we can be disregarded by staff and patients but yet we still carry on. I know I continue to train because aside from all of this I love what I do. I enjoy making a difference to my patient's day, I'm interested in learning about specialities and I have to opportunity to explore all areas of nursing.

As a second year I feel I know enough to share with you my nursing survival tips.

1. Make sure you have a good stain remover and plenty of it.  
2. Carrying a pocket size notebook around you is useful so you can jot down drugs or conditions you wish to look up later.
3. If your going to specialist ward read around the subject before you arrive to put you one step ahead.
4. Although your student years are the best years of your life make sure you have a good nights sleep and  do not go into placement hungover it looks terrible and you'll get into a lot of trouble with both the staff and your university.
5. Always have plenty of pens, they seem to go walk about.
6. Don't engage in bitchy conversation about staff in your placement area, it will always get back to them and its never something you want to be caught up in. 
7. Pack a good lunch, a ham sandwich and a bottle of water isn't going to see you through a 12 hour shift. 
8. Don't do anything your no comfortable with, your only a student and if your in your first year you shouldn't be taking blood unaccompanied whether you feel you can manage or not.
9. If your not sure of something just ask, hospitals love students and most nurses like to teach so don't be shy. 

In your time as a student nurse you'll only have 6-9 placements and this is the only time you'll be able to learn what you like, go where you like and have little responsibility. Make the most and enjoy,

xoxo

Back to uni

In 2 weeks i'll be heading back to university for my second year and thought for my first post i'd let you all know my tips for getting through university. No matter whether your in your first year or your last I think these apply to all. 

1.  Make sure you have plenty of paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and any other medical              things you may need in large supply. You never know when you or someone else might            need something. 

2.  Whether or not your out on a placement or your just having a full day in uni i'd always             advise preping a lunch you can take in the night before. Those daily tesco £3 meal                     deals will soon add up.

3.  Bring as much fancy dress as you can get your hands on, be it your old school uniform             or last years halloween costume, it will all come in handy. 

4.  When writing essays try to reference and do your bibliography as you go along, it                      will save you so much time at the end and you wont miss anything out. I've found                      Refme to be a really useful website. 

5.  Make sure you have lots of blankets and hot waterbottles, you'll need them in winter                when its freezing cold and you can't afford the heating bill. 

6.  In the evening after your lectures try and write up your notes. This will be really                         helpful when it comes to exam and revision time because you wont waste weeks                         writing study notes. 

7.   If your clothes are a bit creased and your in a rush get the hair straighteners out, they              work just as well as an iron. 

8.   Keep an emergency £5 note wedged in the back of your phone case or purse. It will                  come in handy beleive me.  

9.   To make a bit of extra money you can see any unwanted books or clothes on ebay. 

10.  Don't buy every book on your reading list. The price adds up so make sure you ask                     about the essential ones before you break into your student loan. Second hand books are         also just as good. 

11.    Joining your course's facebook page is really helpful as you can get advice from                         eachother and students in other years and ask questions before going to your tutor. 

12.   Make your bedroom really homely and decorate it how you'd like. I'ts the only room                 that's yours so you want to enjoy being in it. 

13.   Before you leave for a night out put a glass or bottle of water next to the bed. Your                     future hungover self will thank you!

14.   Always bring plenty of pens with you. Someone will always ask to borrow one and                     chances are you wont get it back. 

So those are just a few of my tips for university, not necessarily in that order. I'm really looking forward to going back, catching up with my uni friends, starting new modules and going to a new placement area. I'm also excited to get back into dance, team auditions and meeting the new freshers. 

To everyone else going back to uni or those of you who are just starting enjoy your welcome week and make the most of the first semester,

xoxo