Placement as a 3rd Year... Year 3 Week 17

Hey guys!

It's been far too long and I have no excuse as for why! Here's some info on what makes up my 3rd and final year :)

8 weeks of uni - done
1 week A/L - done (went to IBIZA woooo)
9 weeks of placement - doing
6 weeks of uni
1 week A/L
12 weeks placement
1 week uni

*DONE*

How mad is that guys? As for assessments here's what it looks like:
Nursing Practice 4 - 2h exam on subdural haemorrhage and anaphylaxis (30 credits)
Policy and Politics - 3,000 word assignment (30 credits)
Dissertation - 6,000 word literature review (30 credits)
Transition to Qualified Practioner - 10q numeracy exam and presention (30 credits)

3 of my modules will make up my final classification along with my best grade from 2nd year (76.5%).


So, atm I'm on CCU (coronary care unit) which includes a ward setting and an acute CCU. I'm enjoying it and feel like I have a lot of knowledge to gain from the staff and patients. But I do feel I am becoming more capable and the role of a staff nurse is only just out of my grasp.

Hope you are all well and I'll make sure to update you on my progress :)

Really struggling to revise atm because of a lack of motivation, an exam, an assignement and placement all at once! Phew.

Seeya x

Oh my Good God... Year 3 Week 4

1 - I can't believe I haven't blogged in so long

2 - I can't believe I'm technically in year 3!!

3 - I CANNOT BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER

Since my placement finished I've been at home just enjoying having nothing to do! I've been working a small amount in the local community hospital as a HCA but mostly just relaxing and spending time with friends and family.
Oh I also turned 21!! Woohoo.

I'm back to Birmingham on Sunday as I start my introductory week on Monday :)

Supposed to have done CAP (consolidation and preparation) work but so far I've done none.....don't tell!

Also I have decided I will be writing my dissertation around the topic of COPD. Scary times ahead everyone.

Anyways I hope you're all well and once I'm back in Uni for my final year I'll give you some more information on what I am actually doing :)

Thanks guys,
Alex x

Finally, coming to the end!...Year 2 Week 49

I only have 4 days left!!!

An 8 week placement in the community is such a long time. It's very repetitive but I'm glad I've had it as a placement because my wound knowledge is so much better now.

Can't wait for it to end now :):) I get to go home!!!

Hope you're all ok, having a really boring weekend sat in the flat on my own....pray for me!

xx Alex xx

Female Catheterisation...Year 2 Week 48

I've had a really good day on placement today :)

Managed to FINALLY do a female catheterisation woohoo!! (Never thought I'd be excited about putting a tube up a lady's who-ha!).

And the nurse I was with today let me take control so I basically did everything minus compression bandaging. I was calling the patients, calling the GP, writing up requests for prescriptions etc. felt like a proper little nurse :):).

Also, I was given a go at compression bandaging yesterday, was interesting! Obviously I was supervised 100% but it was a good experience.

Happy Ali

Still can't wait for placement to be over though haha

Hope you're all okie dokie?

xxAlex xx

This Seriously Annoys Me!!...Year 2 Week 47

When someone asks you to call somewhere about a patients results. They give you no extra info, nothing about what the results you're looking for actually are or what they mean.

I had this today and the receptionist who answered said she had no medical training so didn't know what I was asking for and I'm thinking NEITHER DO I!! So I had to give the phone to the nurse who went far and wide to introduce herself (which she never does usually) and explaining blah blah blah. Loads of info she didn't give me so obviously I wasn't going to be competent on the phone.

Basically she showed me up big time which I didn't appreciate!

The annoying thing is, I'm very capable, and so long as you explain to me what you want me to do etc I will do it to the best of my ability.

So yeah! Shown up and annoyed today.

I have Good News!!...Year 2 Week 46

After getting myself in a serious state about my OSCE results I shocked myself...I PASSED!!

I actually cried (lol) because I'd been telling myself that I failed so passing was such a relief and shock.

I got 100% in my numeracy which is good :)

So now I can confirm that I have passed all assessments of 2nd year and am taking 76.5% forward to my 3rd year. Woohoo! One step closer to becoming a qualified nurse :) :)

Hope you're well.

Xx Alex xX

Working for the Weekend...Year 2 Week 45

I'm working 13:30-21:30 today and tomorrow!
I need the money but it will mean that by Friday I'll have worked for 12 days straight, boo!!

Placement has been good this week, settling in properly now and getting the know the patients :)

OH, I get my numeracy and OSCE results on Monday. I'll let you know what I get but I'm almost certain it's a fail :(

Hope you're all well, thought I'd just drop in before I leave for work.

xx Alex xx