What it's like being on Management (sign off) Placement... Year 3 Week 39

Management or 'sign off' is what your final placement as a student nurse is referred to. This is because on this placement you are expected to manage the ward (coordinate) and then be 'signed off' by your mentor who says 'this student is safe to become a qualified practitioner'.
How exciting! And slightly daunting...

So at my university this placement is 12 weeks long. 8 weeks of normal placement and then your final 4 weeks is considered the 'sign off' period.

By the time you get to this placement you will be shocked at the knowledge you have built up and how capable you actually are. Of course you will make mistakes, forget to do something or make a fool of yourself, that is part-and-parcel of being a student and you will still do this when qualified! No-one is perfect so don't work yourself up over small things.

What you will be able to do by the time you reach the final 1/3 of this placement is the following:
-Manage patients care including = observatoins, BMs, referrals, liaise with Dr's and members of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), medications (under supervision), dressings, care plans, note writing and documentation.
-Coordinate the ward with your mentor (admissions, discharges, liaise with outside agencies to get patients home asap, eg. district nurses, recovery at home etc)
-Manage your own workload and act with initiative at all times!

There's probably more because nurses do so much more than what is defined by NMCs code of conduct, as you will find out.

My biggest tip? Be openminded, motivated and enthusiastic. Make a conscious effort to get on with EVERYONE. It really helps to get everyone on your side, it makes your life easier and it makes the days more enjoyable.

If you feel like you are lacking in an area, then read! Do research, ask questions, ask more questions, it's up-to you to develop yourself!

By the time you are on this placement people often 'leave you to it' because you are expected to be practicing your skills not learning them. therefore prepare yourself in the placement prior to this one, try and learn all you can so you are in the position to just perfect your work and learn more about everything else.

It's complicated and may sound daunting but you will be ready! Never be scared to say you don't know something.

Girls and boys you will make it and you will be fine, I can vouch for that! Just try and get on a ward you enjoy with staff you get on with. You will become part of the team after 3 months.

I hope that has helped some of you :)

Take care,
Alex xxx