'My training so far has been an amazing adventure'

As I go into my third year of nursing training at Birmingham City University, I was inspired by a posting on facebook by Nursing Times about a student keeping a blog. Having thought about it, I wanted to keep a record of my achievements, learning opportunities, experiences and the day to day life of being a student nurse going through the transition to staff nurse.

So far my training has been an amazing adventure. I have been taught by some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable nurses and learned many new skills on a variety of wards, including spinal orthopaedics, cardiac care, urology and care of the older adult. I am looking forward to completing my training.

There have, of course, been many ups and downs during university and placement life, times when I’ve reflected on the reasons why I ever decided to be a nurse, and what I was doing getting up at six o’clock in the evening to go and work on a night shift. But there have also been moments when I’ve seen the real impact nurses can have on the care of an individual by doing something as simple as remembering to address them using their preferred name.

But before that, a little about me - I turned 30 - yes the big three zero - in May and I had an eclectic life prior to being a student nurse. Having been through further and higher education, I found myself working for a utility company, then an NHS ambulance trust and then a leading blue chip retailer - where I ended up looking after a customer who was very ill in store, which got me back into healthcare, having lost my way a few years earlier.

The reason I became a student nurse is, of course, a personal one and I am sure at some point I will share it with you.

Currently I am the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Association of Nursing Students (ANS) Executive Member for the West Midlands and Consultant Editor of the Answer (RCN Student Magazine).  My term of office comes to an end on October 20th, so I am heading towards a crossroads of opportunities, so keep an eye out for what I do next.

Over the next days, weeks and months I hope to be able to share my journey with the world, and reveal the joys and pitfalls of being a student nurse heading towards gaining a pin number and having patients in my direct care.

Let the final stage of my journey begin and I hope you enjoy joining me on it.

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment.