Today marks the beginning of my second week in my first ever nursing placement and I am absolutely loving it. The nature of the placement means there is a lot of sitting around and observing, and not a whole host of chances to get 'hand's on' in its traditional sense but despite this, I am really enjoying myself. I've learned so much already and can't wait to learn a lot more! I think I've gotten really lucky in that although an experienced mentor would have a lot to offer too, I am my mentors first student. At first I thought this wouldn't be such a good thing, but now I think the exact opposite. My mentor seems much more keen on being involved with my learning and development than some of the other mentors I have heard about, although I am not saying that they are in any way less competent than my own.
Everyone at my placement is so welcoming, I expected them to be, but not quite as lovely and encouraging as they are. I've been speaking to a 3rd year student doing her management placement there and she definitely helped put my mind at rest and ease my nerves. It really is amazing to think that in two and a half years I'll be exactly where she is, months away from qualifying. I know to some people that may seem silly to look so far forward, but if the time flies any where near as quickly as my first six months has as a student nurse then it'll be no time before I'm in that cap and gown as a fully qualified mental health nurse.
Here's to the future, it's bright, and it's fast approaching ...
