A Day in the Life of a Kingston Nursing Student
Hey everyone,👋🏼
I’m a final-year MSc Adult Nursing student at Kingston University, and I thought I’d give you a sneak peek into what a typical day looks like, both at uni and on placement. If you’re considering studying nursing here, this will give you a sense of what to expect.
Uni days are more than Lectures! Most of my uni days are from 10 AM to 3 PM or 10 AM to 5 PM, 2 or 3 days a week. It’s not all lectures and textbooks; there’s a lot of practical work and interactive learning.
A typical uni day might look like this:
10:00 AM – Grab Coffee & Head to Class. First stop, the café! I like to catch up with friends before class starts.
10:30 AM – Skills & Simulations. This is hands down the best part, we use mannequins to practice things like:
-Catheterisation
-Taking blood pressure & giving injections
-CPR & emergency response
-Wound care & dressings
And role players to develop communication, teamwork and decision-making skills. These sessions are realistic and help you feel more prepared for placement. Sometimes, the lecturers throw in a curveball to see how we react under pressure.
Noon – Lunch Break, I usually grab something from the canteen or bring my own. It’s a good time to unwind, chat about placements, and assignments, or just laugh about the day’s events!
1:00 PM – Case Studies & Group Work Afternoons to discuss various patient and healthcare scenarios. We also dive into real-life ethical dilemmas and discuss how to manage tough situations in practice.
3:00-5:00 PM (If it’s a long day) – Reflection & Assignment Prep. We might have reflection sessions on campus. Otherwise, we do this at the library or home, using this time to work on assignments, which are a mix of research-based reports, presentations, and reflections.
Placement Days, The Real Deal!
Placements are where everything clicks. Shifts are usually 12 hours (7 AM – 7 PM or night shifts), and every day is different.
7:00 AM – Handover. We get briefed on patients and assigned tasks. You need to be alert from the start because things change quickly.
7:30 AM – Full-On Patient Care
-Checking observations (blood pressure, oxygen levels, etc.)
-Administering medications -Helping with mobility and personal care
-Supporting families
-Responding to emergencies (yes, they happen!)
12:30 PM – Lunch (If I’m Lucky!). Some days, there’s barely time for a break. But I always try to grab something and stay hydrated because running on empty is not an option.
1:30-7:00 PM – More Care & Learning, I shadow nurses, assist with procedures, and get hands-on experience. It’s intense but the best way to learn.
How I Keep Up With It All
-Planning is Key. Juggling uni, placements, and assignments is tough, so I stay organised daily with a planner.
-Self-care is a Must. Nursing can be overwhelming, so I make sure to rest and take care of myself.
-Support Network – Having nursing friends makes the tough days easy, we get it. Spending time with family and friends outside of nursing is therapeutic too.
Nursing at Kingston is challenging but super rewarding. If you’re thinking about applying, just starting or in Nursing school. feel free to ask me anything! What’s one thing you’re excited or nervous about in nursing school? What is your usual day like?
~ Annabel (Kingston Rep)
I’m a final-year MSc Adult Nursing student at Kingston University, and I thought I’d give you a sneak peek into what a typical day looks like, both at uni and on placement. If you’re considering studying nursing here, this will give you a sense of what to expect.
Uni days are more than Lectures! Most of my uni days are from 10 AM to 3 PM or 10 AM to 5 PM, 2 or 3 days a week. It’s not all lectures and textbooks; there’s a lot of practical work and interactive learning.
A typical uni day might look like this:
10:00 AM – Grab Coffee & Head to Class. First stop, the café! I like to catch up with friends before class starts.
10:30 AM – Skills & Simulations. This is hands down the best part, we use mannequins to practice things like:
-Catheterisation
-Taking blood pressure & giving injections
-CPR & emergency response
-Wound care & dressings
And role players to develop communication, teamwork and decision-making skills. These sessions are realistic and help you feel more prepared for placement. Sometimes, the lecturers throw in a curveball to see how we react under pressure.
Noon – Lunch Break, I usually grab something from the canteen or bring my own. It’s a good time to unwind, chat about placements, and assignments, or just laugh about the day’s events!
1:00 PM – Case Studies & Group Work Afternoons to discuss various patient and healthcare scenarios. We also dive into real-life ethical dilemmas and discuss how to manage tough situations in practice.
3:00-5:00 PM (If it’s a long day) – Reflection & Assignment Prep. We might have reflection sessions on campus. Otherwise, we do this at the library or home, using this time to work on assignments, which are a mix of research-based reports, presentations, and reflections.
Placement Days, The Real Deal!
Placements are where everything clicks. Shifts are usually 12 hours (7 AM – 7 PM or night shifts), and every day is different.
7:00 AM – Handover. We get briefed on patients and assigned tasks. You need to be alert from the start because things change quickly.
7:30 AM – Full-On Patient Care
-Checking observations (blood pressure, oxygen levels, etc.)
-Administering medications -Helping with mobility and personal care
-Supporting families
-Responding to emergencies (yes, they happen!)
12:30 PM – Lunch (If I’m Lucky!). Some days, there’s barely time for a break. But I always try to grab something and stay hydrated because running on empty is not an option.
1:30-7:00 PM – More Care & Learning, I shadow nurses, assist with procedures, and get hands-on experience. It’s intense but the best way to learn.
How I Keep Up With It All
-Planning is Key. Juggling uni, placements, and assignments is tough, so I stay organised daily with a planner.
-Self-care is a Must. Nursing can be overwhelming, so I make sure to rest and take care of myself.
-Support Network – Having nursing friends makes the tough days easy, we get it. Spending time with family and friends outside of nursing is therapeutic too.
Nursing at Kingston is challenging but super rewarding. If you’re thinking about applying, just starting or in Nursing school. feel free to ask me anything! What’s one thing you’re excited or nervous about in nursing school? What is your usual day like?
~ Annabel (Kingston Rep)
Reply 1
What made you choose Kingston and what other unis did you apply to
Reply 2
Original post by risasakura
What made you choose Kingston and what other unis did you apply to
Hey!
I chose Kingston because it had one of the few postgraduate pre-registration nursing courses I was interested in, and the placement areas looked really diverse. The location was also a big plus, close to London but not as hectic, and the support services for nursing students seemed really strong when I looked into it.
I also applied to other unis in London, Hertfordshire, Manchester and Chester. They were good options too, but Kingston stood out for me because of how responsive they were during the application process, and I liked the overall vibe. It just felt like a good fit.
Let me know if you’re weighing up options, happy to help!
~Annabel, Kingston Official Rep.
Original post by Kingston Annabel
Hey!
I chose Kingston because it had one of the few postgraduate pre-registration nursing courses I was interested in, and the placement areas looked really diverse. The location was also a big plus, close to London but not as hectic, and the support services for nursing students seemed really strong when I looked into it.
I also applied to other unis in London, Hertfordshire, Manchester and Chester. They were good options too, but Kingston stood out for me because of how responsive they were during the application process, and I liked the overall vibe. It just felt like a good fit.
Let me know if you’re weighing up options, happy to help!
~Annabel, Kingston Official Rep.
I chose Kingston because it had one of the few postgraduate pre-registration nursing courses I was interested in, and the placement areas looked really diverse. The location was also a big plus, close to London but not as hectic, and the support services for nursing students seemed really strong when I looked into it.
I also applied to other unis in London, Hertfordshire, Manchester and Chester. They were good options too, but Kingston stood out for me because of how responsive they were during the application process, and I liked the overall vibe. It just felt like a good fit.
Let me know if you’re weighing up options, happy to help!
~Annabel, Kingston Official Rep.
Can you tell me which other universities should I be considering if I want to apply for adult nursing according to your experience and do ranking matters
Reply 4
Original post by Harram
Can you tell me which other universities should I be considering if I want to apply for adult nursing according to your experience and do ranking matters
Hey there,
When it comes to choosing where to apply for adult nursing, there are loads of great options, so it honestly depends on what matters most to you. Some things to think about are location (do you want to be close to home or move somewhere new?), cost of living in the area, travel to and from placements, and the kind of support the uni offers during the course. Nursing can be intense, so having good wellbeing and academic support makes a big difference.
Also, check what placements are like; where they are, how varied they are, and how much support students get while on them. Every uni does things slightly differently, so it’s worth looking at the course structure too.
As for rankings, they can be interesting to glance at, but they don’t always tell the full story. Nursing is very hands-on, so things like placement experience, how confident graduates feel, and how well supported you are matter more in the long run.
Hope that helps a bit.
~Annabel (Kingston Rep )
Original post by Harram
Can you tell me which other universities should I be considering if I want to apply for adult nursing according to your experience and do ranking matters
Rankings don't matter at all for nursing. All courses are held to the same standard by the NMC and employers won't care where you study. Consider placement locations, ease of travel and costs. Book some uni open days to get a feel for the uni and the department staff and facilities.
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