Written by Samantha Wilson
Placement can be one of the most exciting (and nerve-racking) parts of studying nursing. Let’s be real, though, it can also be challenging. Having to take time off from paid work to complete weeks of placement can put financial pressure on students, and sometimes that alone can make it difficult to stay motivated.
My most recent placement was in the Emergency Department, which was fast-paced, unpredictable and very different from some of my previous placements. Despite the challenges, it reminded me just how valuable these experiences are and how much we can gain from making the most of every opportunity. So, whether you’re heading into your first placement or your final one, here are my biggest tips for getting the most out of every shift!
🍎 Look After Yourself First
It sounds simple, but bring plenty of food, stay hydrated and TAKE YOUR BREAKS! Placement shifts can be long and busy, especially in a setting like ED where things can change in seconds. You won’t be able to learn, concentrate or provide your best care if you’re running on an empty stomach and feeling exhausted. Sometimes, having something to eat and drink is all you need to reset. Looking after yourself is important too!
⏰ Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Aim to arrive with enough time to put your belongings away, get organised and be ready for handover. If you start at 7am, get there before 7am. The last thing you want is to rush in late and miss valuable information about your patients. Starting the shift feeling organised makes such a difference!
🙋♀️ Jump at Opportunities
If you’re offered the opportunity to practise a new skill within your scope of practice, take it! Placement is where you get to turn all that theory and simulation into real experience. During my ED placement, putting myself forward for opportunities helped me gain so much more confidence with things like medication administration, focused assessments, ECGs, patient handovers and IDC care. You might not feel completely confident the first time, and that’s exactly why you’re there to learn! Challenge yourself to do the scary stuff too – handovers will be so much easier by the time you finish your degree if you practise now!
❓ Ask ALL the Questions
There is genuinely no such thing as a silly question on placement. Trust me, nurses would much rather you ask questions than pretend you understand something or stand back and watch because you’re too nervous to speak up. Asking questions shows that you’re engaged, interested and excited to improve. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend you do. Nursing involves caring for real people, so being honest about what you don’t know is incredibly important.
💪 Back Yourself
Have confidence in what you DO know! As students, it can be easy to second-guess ourselves, but placement is also about recognising how much you’ve already learnt. Give things a go, accept feedback and remember that you’re not expected to know everything. Finally, speak up for yourself. Your patients’ safety is important, but so is yours. If something feels unsafe, falls outside your scope of practice, or you’re uncomfortable with what you’ve been asked to do, speak up and seek support.
Placement is what you make of it. Ask questions, get involved, look after yourself and back yourself. Remember, you’re there to learn!🩺💗
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
