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Growing your confidence
Confidence as a nurse comes from experience and exposure to as many different patient scenarios and clinical situations as possible. These nursing students explain how their confidence grew and their practice blossomed on their placements.
Latest articles
Roadside experience taught me how to work with a team in an emergency
While driving I saw what looked like two people performing resuscitation at the side of the road. Stopping to help, I introduced myself as a second-year nursing student and off-duty volunteer community first responder (CFR).
Undertaking a record-keeping audit helped improve staff performance
While we were attending a third-year clinical placement on a surgical ward, we embarked on a project to update and improve the nursing documentation.
My decisions may have been taken quickly, but it turned out to be right
'Quick decisions are unsafe decisions,' according to the ancient Greek playwright Sophocles.
A doctor dismissed my concerns so I had to stand my ground
One of my third-year placements was on an endocrinology ward that took patient 'outliers' - those needing a bed in an emergency until one became available on the appropriate ward.
A five minute interaction made me realise how much I have learnt
After more than two years as a nursing student, I was beginning to experience the additional responsibility that qualifying as a nurse would bring. This sometimes made me doubt my abilities and feel apprehensive about the future.
A mature approach to a career in nursing
Nursing student Les Walker, finds the life skills from his two previous careers invaluable in his latest challenge of training to be a nurse.
A near-emergency showed me that I can cope in urgent situations
While on a third-year placement with the local district nurses, I was given my own patient caseload. Initially I was anxious about the possibility of a patient requiring emergency assistance. However, I soon became comfortable visiting my own patients and as my knowledge and experience grew, I began to enjoy the visits.
Ask about sexual issues despite the embarrassment
While on placement at an assessment and rehabilitation centre, one student nurse realised the importance of asking about sexual issues, despite her embarrassment.
Assisting in the delivery room
Assisting in the delivery room is tense and emotional at times, but student nurse Amy Cray felt privileged to be a part of every family's special moment.
Assisting with births helped me to empathise with mothers
While on placement at a mother and baby ward, student nurse Amy Cray felt privileged to have been a part of so many family's special moments.
Conversation can be better than documentation
Nursing student Carol Featherstone found that often the best information is revealed in conversation with patients.
Experienced auxiliary nurse treated me badly
After an insensitive auxiliary nurse treated her like a naughty child, one nursing student decided to be more assertive, especially as she plans to be the patient's advocate when she qualifies.
First encounter with distressed parents
A first encounter with distressed parents has given student nurse Karen Johnson more confidence .
Courses & Careers
This section offers practical and professional advice at every stage of your nursing career.
The RCN Publishing Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest organisation for nurses. RCN Publishing produces one weekly, eight monthly and two quarterly nursing publications. Nursing Standard, the flagship journal, is the UK's biggest selling weekly for nursing. It is produced by RCN Publishing Company along with a suite of specialist nursing journals - Cancer Nursing Practice, Mental Health Practice, Learning Disability Practice, Nursing Children and Young People, Nursing Management, Emergency Nurse, Nursing Older People, Nurse Researcher and Primary Health Care. RCN Publishing Company also produce the RCN Bulletin, a major source of up-to-the-minute information for RCN members in all specialities, grades and working environments. With the latest nurse vacancies from trusts nationwide, it has become the most cost-effective nurse recruitment magazine available.