Three things I wish I knew about university work placements before starting mine

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By Emma (BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing Student)

I’m Emma and it’s my second year studying Adult Nursing at Northumbria University. That means work placements are well underway.

Work placements are very important for healthcare students. They’re where we develop hands-on skills, put theory into practice, and experience the reality of front line work. 

Before my first placement, I had learned a lot in lectures, tutorials, and simulations. But I had no experience of working in a real healthcare setting. To say I was nervous walking into hospital that day is an understatement. But my confidence, and skills, have really grown thanks to the experience. And, since then, I’ve done placements in cardiology, general surgery, community, and emergency admissions. 

Here are three things I wish I knew before starting placements, so you can make the most of yours.

 

1. You’re there to learn – not to know everything already

Before starting my first placement, I had absolutely no experience of working on a ward, so basic skills like giving bed baths and taking observations were all very new to me.

I remember feeling a little bit daft on my first day, as a nurse asked me to help her change a patient and I thought, ‘I have literally no idea how to do this! How am I ever going to be a nurse?’ 

But the staff were so supportive. The nurses and healthcare assistants helped to teach me all these skills, and now they feel like second nature to me.

Even now, when I move to a different speciality or a patient asks a question I don’t know the answer to, I  still think ‘I have no idea what I’m doing!’ But no one knows everything, even when they’re qualified, so it’s important to ask questions and keep learning. I like to write down anything that I come across that's new to me, and research it later to expand my knowledge base.

Remember that placements are there to teach us, there is no expectation that we should know everything going into it. That said, I like to do some research around common conditions in my new speciality to give myself a head start!

 

2. Placements can be tiring – so look after yourself

Being on placement and at university at the same time can be tough, especially if you’re juggling part-time work too, as a lot of students do, myself included. It can be a lot to manage, so it's important to take time out for yourself to prevent burning out.

I personally do a lot of running, especially after a tough day on placement. I find it helps me clear my head and process what's happened on shift.

Whatever you do to make yourself feel better, it's so important to take time for yourself, like spending time with friends and family. Make sure you rest and eat properly too, placements can be tiring, and this really helps.

3. Even difficult experiences help you grow – appreciate every opportunity

Unfortunately, not every day on placement will be great. As healthcare students we do see things that can be upsetting or distressing. Plus, not every placement area will suit everyone. You’ll have placements that you like less than others and that's okay.

But taking time to reflect on negative experiences can help us grow as people and can benefit our learning. Plus, having tough days makes nicer days feel even better.

It’s important to have a good support network. I find friends from my course are particularly helpful for this. We are all going through the same thing and have similar experiences, so sharing these can be really beneficial.

Remember that every experience is a learning experience, you just have to see the potential in every situation, good or bad!

 

Get future-ready with real-world experience

Work placements are a fantastic way to develop practical skills, but they’re not the only option.

Northumbria University provides real-world experience through Experiential Learning – which means ‘learning by doing’. Depending on your degree, you could learn through simulations, fieldwork, research, creative practice, live projects, and more. Discover more on the Experiential Learning hub.

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