I am aware that this time next year I will be working at my first job as a newly qualified and, although I have been thinking about it in the back of my mind for the past two years, I am seriously considering where I would like to work when I qualify.
Prior to commencing my course I was always aiming for trauma or A and E. I love the excitment, the unexpectedness and fast-paced environment. I know that I cope well and excel under pressure, remaining calm and confident in the emergency setting.
Then my placements began and I started to fall in love with everything I tried! I absolutely loved working in the nursing home. I loved the rapport I built with the residents, however, I feel that it isn’t the right fit for me at this stage in my career. I enjoyed theatres. It helped me put my anatomy and physiology theory into practice, however, I missed the patient interaction. I loved my district nursing placement. Again, I had the opportunity to build up a rapport with my patients over the two months that I was there. Of course you can build a rapport with patients within the hospital setting but I like the fact that you are sometimes seeing these patients twice a day for weeks so you really become a part of their lives and know them inside out! I definitely could see myself returning to the community setting later on in my career.
During my placement blocks, I took Spoke days. These are days we can choose to spend with other work areas and, again, I fell in love with what I experienced on these days. For example; SCBU, the school nurses, practice nurses, resus. The options are endless!
My placement on AMU (Acute Medical Unit) reaffirmed my love for the acute medical setting. I was nursing patients who were acutely unwell. Either GP referrals, straight from A and E or from other wards in the hospital. I was exposed to a range of different illnesses and had to constantly adapt to the fast-paced, changing environment. I loved it and at the moment AMU is where I am aiming for when I qualify.
I still have two more placements to go so my mind may still change! There are so many fantastic opportunities and paths that I could take, so I don’t feel like I am in a rush to decide anything yet. I am going to take it one day at a time and see where my heart leads me.
Love,
Anna
XOXO
