Not Just a Student Nurse
Hello, my name is Erin. I am a third year paediatric student nurse and I am due to qualify as a registered nurse in September.
My journey began in 2018 when I applied to study children’s nursing straight from sixth form. I studied health and social care at sixth form which developed an interest in learning about different topics in this field. I knew I wanted to work with children, but couldn’t distinguish between a primary school teacher or nursing. After spending a week working with children with learning difficulties, this really inspired me to want to help children and make a difference to their lives.
I have always struggled with my confidence. In year 1 especially, I found it extremely difficult to develop my confidence during placement.
Placement was a very daunting time for me and I would say that it’s only now that I’m in third year that I finally feel a bit more confident when on placement. I think it’s just the way I was on my first placement, everything was new, I didn’t know anyone and found it hard to “fit in” with the team, purely due to me being nervous and overthinking everything I was doing. As time has gone on, I have felt a lot better in my abilities to do things, my practical skills and academic work, but this didn’t come easy for me. I’m finally at a place where I can say I’m proud of myself as a student nurse and how far I’ve come, I feel a lot happier in myself through accepting that I do lack in confidence sometimes and thinking of ways I can develop in order to become more confident in my abilities.
Last year, I had the opportunity to opt in for a paid placement to work on an adult ward for 12 weeks.
As a paediatric student nurse, this decision was extremely difficult, and not one I took lightly. My decision was to opt out as a result of my competence and my confidence in myself to work on an adult ward. I felt like this was the best decision at the time for myself, my family and their safety, as well as mine. On reflection, perhaps opting in would’ve developed my knowledge and skills, however at the time I had to do what’s best for me.
Life as a student nurse during a pandemic is not easy. The course itself is rewarding however it is also intense, demanding and stressful at times. With the pandemic introduced, this has affected many students both physically and emotionally and the ability to get through the course. 12+ hour shifts with constant wearing of PPE, dealing with both COVID and non-COVID patients that are still unwell and require care, working long hours and not being paid, not being able to see families for long periods of time or friends/colleagues for support during academic studies.
These are just a small list of things that student nurses have to deal with on a daily basis, but remember this:
you are doing the best you can.
So that’s my main message from this blog, no matter how hard things get, you can only do and try your best. You are not just a student nurse, you are a human being with your own needs. By helping yourself, you can help others.
This is the main thing I have realised over the three years, to take care of myself and well-being. I think as a student, between working 12+ hour shifts and studying, we seem to forget about our own health as we are constantly caring for others (this is definitely for me anyway).
This is one of the main reasons I have written this blog to express the importance of self care and looking after yourself whilst on your journey to becoming a nurse or midwife. You are not just a student nurse; you are a human being and you are strong, brave, caring, compassionate and worthy. Sending all my love to the amazing students out there in practice and on theory, whatever field or year of nursing you’re in.
Don’t be too hard on yourself because you’re doing the best you can!