Jessica Cuerden - BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult Health)

I have learnt so many nursing skills such as ; A-E assessment, wound care, paperwork, end of life care, care in specialised area’s such as orthopaedics, elderly care, oncology and diabetes. I have also mastered the art of essay writing. A whole new area that has kept me awake at night for sure. This degree has embedded the relevance of academic work, research and what is reliable research. This is definitely something I will carry forward in my career.

I had orthopaedic admission and elderly care ward in am first year placement. I hadn’t had much experience of a ward prior to this, only clinic work. Getting to grips with admission paper work was challenging but essential. I also found confidence in my abilities to judge situations and trust myself to do the right thing. I had a safeguarding issue arise and I dealt with this myself. Elderly care is complex and challenging. So much to learn and I feel every first year should experience this area. I learnt a lot about conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke care along with a multitude of medications and the how important the multi-disciplinary teams are in maintaining a level of care and reaching set goals.

In my second year I had CCU, District nursing and surgical ward. Definitely the most challenging year out of the three. I learnt so much and things really began to fall in to place from the academic side to practical. CCU was fantastic and a place I can see myself working one day for sure. A superb and valuable placement for students. Very complex and so much to learn. District nursing opened my eyes to the strains of the NHS and patients who really need care in the community. Lots to learn, which I carried forward to my placement after this. Surgical ward was busy and challenging. I was definitely pushed to assert myself as a leader and manage patients and conditions on this ward. I really began to understand a deteriorating patient and the role of the nurse on this ward.

Third year began with a community hospital with the CLIPP system. I really found my confidence on this placement and really enjoyed the CLIPP system. Taking a real leadership role, managing both patients and other students was great. I really enjoyed supporting others and I learnt from them in the process. I enjoyed the different environment from the district hospital too clearly seeing the impact this has on patients and their recovery. I felt very much a part of the team and a respected member in the decision-making process for my patients. It was the first time I felt like an actual nurse not just a student.