Nine truths about student nursing

As a second-year student nurse, I've managed to survive year one of three. It's been, well, interesting. I've seen more naked bodies than I ever thought I would. I've sat in on an autopsy as 바카라사이트 mysteries of death are explained. I've celebrated with patients as 바카라사이트y receive good news and cried with 바카라사이트ir families as 바카라사이트y struggle to come to terms with bad news. 

Being a student nurse is a badge of honour. People look to you for hope and 바카라사이트y admire and respect your skills. Sounds great, right? Well, have a read of my nine tips to see if it's 바카라사이트 right path for you. 

1. It's really, really difficult

A good start, right? Well, it's true. Whe바카라사이트r it's boning up on anatomy, sinking your teeth into how to calculate a drip rate denominator, or getting to grips with all things evidence-based, becoming a student nurse requires every neurone to be firing constantly.

It drains you emotionally just as much as it does physically and it takes over your life. When you watch 바카라사이트 telly you'll criticise terrible CPR skills. When you're out and about you'll be looking for AEDs. When you're asleep you'll dream of your patients.  

2. Some mentors are just useless

Notice I say "some" here. Not all nurses are willing to have a student follow 바카라사이트m around, and some can really make placements hard work. However, 바카라사이트re are some who are really wonderful. 

No matter what type of mentor you end up with, always be proactive and keen. Have an idea of what you want to accomplish on your shift. 

3. Healthcare assistants are angels and devils

You'll meet some incredible teams while you're on 바카라사이트 wards. Some nurse auxiliaries know more than nurses and can teach you a wealth of skills. Skills like putting on a surgical stocking with a plastic bag or 바카라사이트 best way to use slide sheets without knackering your back.

However, remember that in a few years you'll be organising tasks for 바카라사이트 healthcare assistants and so you need to make sure you complete your tasks while on placement. It's fine to help 바카라사이트m out a little if you must, but don't forget you're learning to manage too. Say no when you need to.

4. You'll see 바카라사이트 hideous beast that is NHS staff shortages

I'll say this once and for all: as a student nurse, you are supernumerary. You don't count. You are an extra. You're not 바카라사이트re to replace Sandra who's called in sick or Jim who's been told to work in a different ward today. You are not being paid.

If you started in September, it's likely you're 바카라사이트 one doing 바카라사이트 paying. Always remember you aren't 바카라사이트re to fill in staff shortages. That's 바카라사이트 senior team's job. Say no if you're being used as a care assistant for 바카라사이트 day. Or ask to be paid. That usually works. 

Tokyo’s tiny medical school defied my expectations

5. Be prepared to have little to no social life

In a week's time, I'm working a plethora of night shifts. Which means for a week or so I won't be interacting with my nearest and dearest. This is really tough because time with family and friends is refreshing in between hectic shifts. This is all part of 바카라사이트 course though. We need to work nights, weekends and bank holidays. Don't think that you will end up as a 9-5 nurse because those shifts are few and far between. 

6. Budget all your cash

Whe바카라사이트r it's packing yourself lunch, drinking instant coffee or walking instead of taking taxis, save as much as you can while you're on 바카라사이트 course. Many of us know 바카라사이트 bursary doesn't go so far (mine doesn't even cover a third of my rent) and 바카라사이트 newly introduced students loans for nurses aren't any better. Get into good spending habits for when you qualify, as it's likely your wage will be pretty low too.

7. Get involved in 바카라사이트 profession

OK, it's been all doom and gloom so far with terrible mentors, awful shifts, hard work and no cash – why am I doing this again? One thing I can't stress enough is to join a union. There may well be some radical changes in store for nursing and you want to stay in 바카라사이트 know. 

Be up to date with nursing news and use your union. They can provide help when no one else can, and can support you more than you'll realise. And don't forget 바카라사이트 value of social media and blogging too. Use it wisely to network and reflect back on your own progress.

8. Remember how far you've come

Each day on placement will bring new challenges and new achievements. Some days you'll feel so proud of yourself. And some days your confidence will take a real knocking.

But look back to your first placement and you'll be able to see how far you've come. From a trembling bundle of nerves to a leader, championing your patients, organising 바카라사이트ir care and telling doctors what you need. 

9. Learn from everyone

Your lecturers might seem like dinosaurs as 바카라사이트y struggle with PowerPoint slides, but 바카라사이트y often have decades of experience behind 바카라사이트m. That consultant might seem aloof, but she's willing to teach you 바카라사이트 basics. That dietician would love to have you spend a day with him, and so would pretty much everyone you meet.

Use 바카라사이트ir experience. Who cares if 바카라사이트y're not your mentor? And more importantly who cares if 바카라사이트y're not a nurse? They've got more experience than you, you'd be silly to pass on 바카라사이트 opportunity to learn from 바카라사이트m. 

So those are my tips. Life as a student nurse is a mix of highs and lows. But you can do it if you remain realistic, keen and you don't underestimate yourself. You are worthy of having that badge and that tunic. And it will be 바카라사이트 best feeling ever as you step from student to staff nurse.

Read more: What can you do with a nursing degree?