Surviving Your Management Placement

So you've nearly made it... after 3 years of hard work, only your management (or sign off placement, whatever you want to call it), stands between you and qualifying. 

Many people dread this placement, but it's important to experience a step up in responsibility because soon you will be qualified and out there making decisions, so it's good to get in the practice! Don't be too nervous, as you'll still have all the same support available to you but also don't get too complacent - people can still fail on their last placement so don't get lazy! 

My final placement was a long 14 weeks on an A&E department. I discovered it wasn't an area of nursing that appealed to me, but I had no choice other than to make the most of it if I was to pass my degree. There's a few simple ways you can survive any placement and make a good impression... 

• Show up on time and dress appropriately
• Research your placement area beforehand
• Be organised and tell your mentor when your paperwork needs to be signed 
• Consistently demonstrate a good attitude
• Don't be afraid to ask questions and acknowledge your limitations
• Take every learning opportunity available to you
• Be a good team player and respect all members of staff
• Learn how to engage with patients and families and develop your communication skills

Of course on your management placement a little bit more is expected of you. No one will leave you alone to get on with things for the whole placement (or at least they shouldn't do) but you may notice you have more freedom and can start to be more independent in your patient care, perhaps managing your own patients for example. A few extra tips for your final placement include...

• Be organised - learn to manage your time and patient load efficiently (I find it most helpful to plan my shifts my hour and write what needs doing next to each hour) 
• Practice delegating jobs - but do this with respect for others
• Use your initiative - if you think a patient needs medication or something has or should change in the care plan, then speak to your mentor about it and share your ideas 
• By the same token try to look for solutions to issues that arise before going to your mentor - although you will still be supported once you are qualified, it's good to get in the habit of becoming responsible for your patients' care 
• Practice giving and receiving handovers - you may have listened to this being done throughout your degree but it's very different actually gathering the necessary information and then reporting this to the next staff on shift so make the most of gaining experience with this as a student 
• Get confidence communicating with the multidisciplinary team - once qualified you will regularly work with other professionals so get used to talking with them, especially the doctors (they aren't that scary, at least most of them aren't!) 

And last, but not least, LOOK AFTER YOURSELF! I can't stress this enough. The last few months of your degree can be the busiest. Assignments, placement and job interviews, mean your time is very precious. But make sure you take the time to do things you enjoy and see friends and family. The end is in sight so just keep going, you can do it!!!