Placement

I've been on placement for 2 weeks now so I felt that an update was in order. I have really been enjoying my time on placement...although the first week was rather terrifying and daunting due to me having no experience in the area and general low confidence. I apologise if what I say appears very vague but I can't divulge too much information due to confidentiality and what not. 

I have been learning an awful lot about patient care, the basic hands on stuff and the rest. For the past two weeks I have been doing a lot concerning basic patient care, sometimes that is just helping make the breakfast, asking people if they want some tea, but often it is a lot more as you can imagine. Doing all of these things has not only made me realise my full potential...but it has also made me realise the extent to which I care...and how patient I am. It may not sound important but outside of the caring environment I have always been a very impatient person (in a lot of situations...not all) and I worried that this would occur in the workplace. I have come to realise that I am a very patient person when it comes to helping people and that I do care...even just making sure that a person is wearing something that they want can go a long way obviously as it is involving them. I try my hardest to ensure that people retain their dignity and that they are able to do as much as they possibly can. 

I am loving my placement however I am having trouble when I have finished working for the week as I struggle to sleep from thinking that I am still at work...thinking I'm hearing buzzers and that I have things to do. Although this is somewhat funny and I guess it is somewhat showcasing how much I care...it can be a real pain! I have really started to get into the routine of the job, I have learned almost everyone's names and I have managed to build a rapport with people which I feared I would be unable to do as I am shy, nervous and self conscious. 

I have learned people's little habits, likes and dislikes and I love going out of my way in order to make people just a little happier...if they like a certain mug then they I feel they should have that mug...I mean at home I know I like to have certain cups and cutlery; why should it be any different for them? 

I have even been told a few times by staff and residents that they really like me and that I am doing a great job which is such a confidence boost. I love walking in from the last week having not seen everyone for a few days and seeing their faces...I really do love it. 

There's only a few things about being on placement that aren't so good; I have to wash my hands constantly and use alcohol rub and therefore my hands can get really sore, I have to get up at 6am and that sucks, I can never seem to eat breakfast when I have work so I'm always starving by 10am and being on my feet for like 12 hours totally sucks but it is so worth it.