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Make the most of clinical placements
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Maggie Bennett explains that the onus is on the student to learn as much as possible from their time in practice
While nurse mentors are responsible and accountable for the assessment of students during practice placements, students are responsible for ensuring they learn as much as possible during this time.
Before your placement, find out about the area and the care provided. Identify possible learning opportunities and make a list of your learning objectives.
Find out the name of your mentor and the time you must report to the area on your first day. Arrive on time with your student documentation and be sure your uniform complies with university and placement provider requirements.
At an initial meeting, your mentor will discuss the learning opportunities available and agree realistic outcomes for your placement. Midway and at the end, students and mentors will review progress against the agreed learning outcomes.
On the placement itself, seek out learning opportunities and reflect on practice experiences with your mentor. Ask questions and identify what you find difficult or feel unsure about.
Your mentor will continuously assess you against your learning outcomes, seeking feedback on your performance from the team.
The purpose of assessment and feedback is to help you learn, so seek and welcome constructive feedback to identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
Resource
Helping students get the best from their practice placement
Link (PDF): tinyurl.com/RCN-placement-toolkit
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.