Hello hello and welcome back!! Since my last post life just took off a little bit, I continued working as a carer during the first wave, then I moved into a flat with my boyfriend, started second year and went out on placement almost immediately. In the midst of all that I was completing assignments and launched my small business called Jenuary Art where I paint a variety of canvases, I also opened up an etsy shop and had my very first sale a little over a week ago now.
I must admit I've had this post drafted for a while however there was a delay in uploading due to my already hectic life and my blog just didn't feel like a priority at the time. Anyway, as I have completed a couple of paediatric nursing placements I though I would write a post sharing what I thought were essentials to me, maybe you already have some things from this list or maybe I might inspire you to make a few small changes!
From one nursing student to the other:
1) A good pair of shoes! A very important part of your uniform that you really should invest in, most trusts require plain, black closed shoes that can be easily cleaned. A good quality pair of shoes will make all the world of difference during those 12.5 hour shift, I personally wear Clarks unloop shoes in a standard fit, however I have friends who wear Skechers who say that brand of nursing shoe is also really good! It all depends on what feels best for you, the price can be scary but trust me when I say your feet, ankles and legs will be much better off!
2) Pens galore! It's the most frustrating thing when it comes to writing up notes and filling in charts realising you've either: lost the pen, the ink has dried, you lent it to someone and it never returned. It happens to all of us, even the matrons, but one thing I like to ensure is that I have a pen in each of my tunic pockets, I have 4 pockets so I have 3 black pens and then one of those multicoloured pens that has blue, red and green too! A red pen is also essential as some nurses like to have fluid balance charts completed in two different colours so they can clearly identify fluid input and output.
3) Hand creams are your new best friend. We wash our hands more than usual when on placement and so this can lead to dry, sore skin Now some wards may also have hand cream dispensers that you can utilise, I personally don't like the feeling of some the trust provided creams and so I always carry a small tube of unscented Nivea hand cream so as not to irritate my skin further.
4) A placement journal is something that i've only utilised in my last placement but within it I document the day of my shift. I always write down my initial feelings first even if that includes worries, it's interesting to then go back to my journal after the shift to reflect and compare it to how i felt before. It reminds me that even if I am worried about something, it more often than not turns out okay in the end. It's nice to add entries as i progress and I look forward to reading it all back in years to come to see how much I have developed as a Paediatric Nurse.
5) Something nice to eat! I could lie to you and say I always take a healthy meal with me to placement but I wont, sometimes I take a container of popcorn, maybe a pasty, sometimes a cheese and tomato sandwich, a pasta dish or just a variety of snacks! My eating habits completely change while i'm on placement and it always throws me off, admittedly I do tend to lose some weight whilst in practice although it's not intentional but that is because of the change of my eating pattern. My advice is to take something you'll enjoy because having a rubbish meal while on placement that can have a negative impact on your shift.
6) Mints are essential now more than ever. It's no secret that even when you brush your teeth in the morning, that minty fresh feeling doesn't last all day. The reason I say mints are important now is because covid-19 regulations now require individuals to wear surgical masks when on the ward and that means having to smell your own breath, and noone wants to smell their own coffee or beef scented breath lets be honest. I've always got packets of polos or soft mints floating about in my bag!
7) Cosy commute clothes. Each trust is different in regards to commuting in uniform, generally you are advised against it to prevent cross contamination but some wards or clinics may allow it. I think it's best practice to arrive in normal clothes and then get changed in the work place, even if it means having to leave my house a little earlier. I like to travel in as comfy clothes as possible, so literally leggings or joggers with a hoodie and pair of trainers and i'm good to go. Who wants to be out and about in a pair of jeans early in the morning, or who wants to put on a pair of jeans after a 12.5 shift? Not me thank you, comfort is key!
8) Reading materials are always so handy when it comes to passing the time on a slow shift. If you are on a specialist ward maybe you could ask for computer access to read up on your area, ask for leaflets and booklets, you could read through nursing notes if allowed or maybe get ahead of some university reading. Never miss an opportunity to learn!
9) Have a person. Unfortunately, despite best efforts sometimes individuals don't make it and it can be a very distressing time. Death is not something I have experienced on placement yet and I know the day I do, I will be an emotional mess. It is so, so important that you have someone you can debrief too at the end of a difficult shift, whether that be your supervisor, friend, brother etc, talk to someone about your feelings. Even though you are a student, you still matter, your feelings are valid and just as important as everyone else, even if it seems difficult and not like a priority you should make yourself heard. Debriefing and reflecting can really help you develop mentally!
10) A reason why you nurse. Now this might seem a bit cliche but it helps during those hard shifts, I have a small yellow button stitched onto the inside of my lanyard. During one of my first cohort lectures, my tutor passed around a packet of assorted buttons and instructed us all to choose one. She told us that those buttons represent us, because childrens nurses always keep it together, exactly like a button does. My button is a reminder that i can do it, that I am strong enough and do have the capabilities, when I look at it I think of a positive future for myself and my family and i'll always cherish my little button from the start of my nursing journey.
And there we have it, probably not the type of list you were expecting but some of these are definitely things I wish I had considered sooner! Remember to always take care of yourself and always speak up if you feel uncomfortable in certain situations. Supervisors aren't there to belittle you, they're there to help you develop your nursing skills and provide support during practice.
To all other student nurses out there; we've got this people!!
Thank you so much for reading!
Jenna x
