Support Systems

I can honestly say that this degree is one of the hardest things I have ever done. Not only is it physically and mentally demanding, but it's also extremely emotionally demanding. Whether you're at university or out in practice, times can get tough, and it's important during those times to have a solid support network.

There is much discussion both online and offline about the importance of a good mentor, and what it is exactly that makes them so good: including the invaluable support that they so passionately and often unknowingly provide. However, less is said in relation to personal tutors, who are, in my opinion, just as important as practice mentors, if not more so.

As with mentors, there are myriad factors that can impact upon the relationship between students and personal tutors, and the resultant experiences had. I suspect many of these contributory factors are the same for both camps alike; for example, the random assignation of  students to staff members resulting in pot-luck outcomes, due to issues such as personality clashes, time constraints, or lack of interest from either of the respective parties.

There is no obvious or easy solution to many of these problems. However, perhaps an element of flexibility and understanding from the institutions involved, combined with a more pro-active approach from students would prove beneficial. In my experience, many students neglect to fully utilise their personal tutor: usually as a result of one or more of the aforementioned issues, ultimately bypassing what I feel is an undervalued and fruitful support system.

On a more personal and positive level, I would be lost without my personal tutor; I value her advice and guidance immensely. She is always accepting of my many requests for support, and I feel that all of our sessions are tailored in order to suit me as an individual and fit my specific needs: all of which works towards making me feel empowered and valued in the long run. With all sincerity, I could not have asked for a more perfect pairing, and I am truly and forever grateful for the nurse that she is striving to help me to become.

Know It All

As I write this, I am surrounded by books, journal articles, magazines, illegible lecture notes, and three... no four empty coffee mugs. I have an exam looming, and I have a lot to learn!

Since starting my course in September, I’ve been incessantly worrying over the issue of learning and retaining all of the information needed to not only successfully complete my degree and qualify, but also to be a good, safe, and competent nurse. Just when you think you have at least the basics covered, along comes another semester full of lectures, seminars, and tutorials all based around subjects you hadn’t even considered, not to mention a new placement that requires an endless list of competencies all of which need to be understood and met.

It’s a daunting prospect, and not one that can be easily overcome. I’ve discovered a secret weapon of late however. It’s called... reading! I realise that last statement makes me sound like a complete idiot, but I honestly didn’t expect it to be so... effective, especially as I’ve always been more of a visual learner. Another tool I’ve discovered during my recent educational enterprise is YouTube. It’s especially handy for when I come across concepts (usually anatomy and physiology) that I’m having difficulty getting my head around. Another advantage to YouTube is that it doesn’t really feel like work, which is quite often half the battle in my case. Ultimately the trick is identifying and employing methods that work for you; I know a certain A&P colouring book has proven to be a big hit with some of my course mates for example. For those of you who favour a more auditory-orientated style, audio books may be just the thing. Whatever your style, there’s something for everyone.

Between clinical skills, law and ethics, pharmacology, A&P, communication skills, interpersonal skills, public health... I could go on, there’s a lot to take in. Being a student or qualified nurse isn’t easy, and there’s so much more to nursing than people realise. However this in itself is precisely why nursing is so rewarding; after all, not just anybody can be a nurse.