Nursing placement

I’m a second year nursing student on my first placement of the year. This is my first time on a surgical ward - specialising in cardiac and thoracic issues. I have loved all my placements and have had positive feedback, this one just feels different. I’m feeling out of my depth in terms of knowledge and skills despite researching everything and note taking during/after shift to benefit my learning. Though I can’t help but feel inadequate/under skilled and unhelpful on shift.
Just wondering if anyone else ever felt like this during their time nursing. I'm normally very positive but this is the first time I’ve really doubted my abilities. Any words/advice would be appreciated TIA x 😇

You're certainly not alone, two placements I struggled the most with were cardiac and ICU. They are very intense placements, do not be hard on yourself, you're only a student and you're there to learn. I benefitted from taking a small note pad with me to placement and would document drugs, procedures or types of wound cares that I wanted to learn more about. However, like yourself its hard at times to learn after a long hefty 12 hour shift so take it easy
How long have you been on that placement for? Could you do spoke days where you go out with the cardiac SN? Or within the cardiac physiology team to learn more about the physiology of the heart? I did a spoke day with them and benefited lots from this with learning about ECGs, echos, etc and managed to get my proficiencies signed off by doing this.
Do speak to your supervisor and practice assessor as there may be learning booklets you can be given to help with your learning and try to be kind to yourself 🙂

I think every student nursing applicants has probably struggled somewhere along there journeys to becoming a registered nurse.
I would certainly advise her to speak to her placement supervisor or the ward sister/ manager to see if they can help with things.
Hopefully you enjoyed your own journey in becoming a adult nurse Hazelly .

Thank you! I certainly have, it's been tough at times but I'm looking forward to qualifying and going into the real world of nursing. I'm paediatric based instead of adult, I was very tempted in first year to change to adult nursing though!
Hope all is well with you 🙂

I’m a second year nursing student on my first placement of the year. This is my first time on a surgical ward - specialising in cardiac and thoracic issues. I have loved all my placements and have had positive feedback, this one just feels different. I’m feeling out of my depth in terms of knowledge and skills despite researching everything and note taking during/after shift to benefit my learning. Though I can’t help but feel inadequate/under skilled and unhelpful on shift.
Just wondering if anyone else ever felt like this during their time nursing. I'm normally very positive but this is the first time I’ve really doubted my abilities. Any words/advice would be appreciated TIA x 😇

Thank you so much for your advice, I really appreciate it😄. I’ve been working nights since starting placement so I’ve been finding it challenging to get the same experience you would during day shift. I’m here for 8 weeks total.
My practice assessor only works nights so I’ve had a bit of a panic thinking about getting things signed off but I’m sure I’ll manage somehow. I had a bit of a nightmare asking for experience on day shifts as they were quite adamant I’d have to do shifts alongside my PA even thought students are told to have a combination of all shifts. Most of the staff are nice, others have been less approachable and it’s the first time I’ve felt slightly uncomfortable but I understand that’s part of the process of nursing unfortunately - it’s not all sunshine and roses.
Have to say it’s not the nicest experience I’ve had as a student and can definitely say this area is not for me unfortunately😂. I’m willing to learn and am always grateful for the experience despite the negatives but will be glad to get the work done, the placement finished and put it behind me😅