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