Anya, a BSc Nursing Studies student discusses her placement experience while studying at Aston University
BSc Nursing Studies student Anya Jeffers discusses her journey on placement so far.
How was it starting your first clinical nursing placement?
Undertaking any new experience is quite daunting for even the most confident person. Going into placement, especially your first placement is certainly one of those experiences. I suffered from pre- placement anxiety, I worried about how I would be perceived by both the staff and patients, whether I have gathered enough knowledge and competency to be able to perform on placement and just the overall clinical experience.
However, so far I can say that it has been great. In the two weeks I have been on the ward I have learnt so much and have gained more confidence. I am more comfortable approaching patients and asking questions and trying to get to know them as the people they are outside of their condition. My supervisor and the entire team in general have been supportive and welcoming so far and I enjoy working with them. Also, the patients were warm and welcoming and encouraged me along the way as well, which definitely made things easier.
How has it been interacting with other Nursing students on placement?
Overall, it has been a great learning experience. I was able to interact with the other students on placement, who have a shared University and placement experience.
Everyone, the patients, and the staff were really intrigued and interested in my Aston uniform as it was one they hadn’t seen. A lot of the staff were surprised to see Aston University doing nursing, so I received a lot of complements on the uniform. I was the only Aston University student, and everyone else were from other local universities so I assume I stood out!
What would you say to any future students thinking of doing a Nursing placement?
I would say to future nursing students who would eventually have to go out on their first placement: The road to becoming a nurse is not easy. There will be many early mornings and late nights. There will be good days and there will be not so good days. You will often question yourself, you will probably have doubts as to whether this is the career for you. But if this is what you want, remember why you started and please keep going.