I’m Fiona I am starting my final year as a learning disability (LD) student nurse at Teesside University.
The course is split between theory and placement, so my day varies massively depending on whether I’m at University or out in practice.
On uni days, I normally have a few hours of lectures then a few hours of self-directed study. Typically, I meet up with my course mates before the lecture to have a quick catch up. The LD cohort is usually small, so we all know each other and can help each other. I have just started my modules for the final year, including the field module, split between lecture and lab time where we hone our skills ready to go out as qualified nurses next year.
On placement, my day differs depending on where I’m assigned. The variety of practice areas provides fantastic opportunities to develop the wide range of skills and proficiencies needed to become qualified, and gives me ideas on where my career could head.
On community placements, my day would start at 9am with a handover for all the community nurses, support workers and other members of the wider multi-disciplinary team, such as psychology and occupational therapists, to discuss their current case updates. I usually head out with one of the community nurses on a home visit to complete an initial assessment for a service user referred in to the team. After lunch, we head to a day centre to visit a service user and their staff team to provide nursing support. Once back at the office, it’s time to complete all documentation. There’s plenty of opportunities to ask questions – the nursing team are always happy to help and share insight. At 5pm, it’s time to head home.
If I’m on inpatient placements in secure services, my day would be very different! It would start with a handover at 7.30am, then the staff nurse would assign staff for the day, checking any appointments or meetings. Then it’s time for morning medication, where I am supervised to administer medication safely. The staff nurse might delegate me some daily tasks to complete such as documenting patient notes, and then I attend ward round, where a multi-disciplinary team discuss patient care and recovery in collaboration with the service user. In the afternoon, I might attend a health centre visit with a service user, or take part in activities on the ward, building therapeutic relationships. After the 5pm medication round, we check all the daily notes have been completed and prepare the handover for the end of the shift at 7.50pm.
The role of a learning disability student nurse can be challenging at times and requires a high level of compassion and emotional intelligence, but can be hugely rewarding. Good time management is necessary to juggle assignments and placements, but there is always support from your peers, university lecturers and staff on placement. Time will fly by! It seems only yesterday I was putting on my uniform for the first time – anxious and excited for my first placement.
By Fiona, BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Learning Disabilities) student.
