Looking after you: how to cope with day-to-day life as a student nurse

As a nursing student, you instinctively want to care for others. Having the opportunity to go on placement allows you to make your patients feel better and you gain real-life experiences in the field. You go to your classes and learn about evidence-based practice, ensuring you make yourself, your patients, and the Nursing and Midwifery Council proud. You know the best way to do all this …

And yet, you're running on 3 hours of sleep, six energy drinks and a breakfast bar you ate so quickly that you're not sure you swallowed it. Your back and feet hurt, and your brain feels like mush as you try to cope with placement, assignments and family.

So, take a breath and let's talk about looking after you. Here are some things that I and my fellow students do to keep our mental and physical health on track (somewhat):

I am neurodivergent and time seems to disappear without me realising, so I must manage my time effectively. I have devised a plan involving writing dates and notes in my diary for assignments and my social life. I also have a visual calendar on my wall to see when assignments are due and which days I am on placement, allowing me to plan effectively. I ensure I have time for work and play to try to stop that ADHD burnout. Work out what sort of time management plan works for you and stick to it.