Although it has been three and a half years ago since my first day at Northumbria University, I remember it like it was yesterday. I had waited so long for this day—for as long as I can remember I knew that I wanted to study child nursing.
University was stressful, but it was where I formed lifelong friendships, each one of us having a unique understanding of what we were all going through and how best to support one another. The university tutors have been a constant source of support—they have a sense of knowing who needs support and implement this behind the scenes.
The first days are always hard, and this never changed throughout the 3 years of studying. Each first day at placement was nerve wracking and, as the next placement came around, it often felt even more daunting than the previous one. Each placement has a higher set of expectations to ensure that each student is able to reach their full potential. The final placement was extremely nerve racking and mine was at a hospice. This worried me because I felt that I could be at a disadvantage due to the lack of clinical skills, but I quickly realised I was wrong.
The 16 weeks at the hospice enabled me to bring all my knowledge and skills together, and the nursing care I observed reminded me why I had chosen to go into the profession. The thought of the next step—transitioning from student nurse to staff nurse—was daunting; however, I found that this was more in my thoughts than what I then found was the reality.
As I waited for a start date and was fitted for my uniforms, I felt excited about getting started in my first job as a registered children's nurse at Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. My biggest fear was of how much information the ward would expect me to know. My first shift felt like I was re-living my first day as a student all over again. I felt glued to my preceptor as I was nervous in my new role. But I felt reassured when my colleagues told me that nobody expected me to know everything.
‘I was nervous in my new role, but I felt reassured when my colleagues told me that nobody expected me to know everything’
The training days and induction went ahead after I had done three shifts on the ward. These allowed us time to gain the necessary knowledge thoroughly before practising on the ward. Training days give us the space and time to ask questions, which can be difficult to do on a busy ward.
Now that I have been qualified for a few months I feel comfortable in my role and I understand that it will take time to settle in. Not everybody knows everything, but working together within a multiprofessional team ensures that we provide the best care possible for the patients.
I feel that the team I work in try to support newly qualified nurses as much as possible, although this does depend on ward demands. Knowing that I can ask questions and be supported has helped develop my confidence and ensured that I've had a good start to my career.
I thoroughly enjoy shaping children's and parents' health experiences, using the knowledge that I have learnt, and I can see that my 3 years of studying was well worth it. Nursing is a profession within which we continue to learn throughout our careers. Every day is different, and the journey to becoming a nurse has been worth it. I would wholeheartedly recommend nursing as a career to anybody thinking of applying to do the course.