Children's Nursing · Free Resource

Placement Survival Guide

Everything you need to know to survive and thrive on your nursing placements — from the night before to your final day.

Revision Foundations · Children's Hub

Before Placement Starts

Contact your placement

Call or email to confirm start time, location, parking, dress code

Prepare your uniform

Clean, ironed, appropriate footwear. Check Trust policy on jewellery

Gather essentials

Pen (black), small notebook, fob watch, ID badge, snacks, water bottle

Review patient group

Research the speciality — common conditions, procedures, terminology

Check your PAD/ePAD

Know what competencies you need to achieve

Plan your route

Do a practice run if possible. Account for traffic/parking

Your First Day

First Day Checklist

Arrive 15 minutes early — Find where to go, sign in, settle nerves
Introduce yourself — "Hi, I'm [name], a Year [X] student nurse. This is my first day."
Get a tour — Fire exits, toilets, staff room, supplies, emergency equipment
Meet your mentor/supervisor — Discuss learning objectives and how you'll work together
Write down key info — Ward phone number, key contacts, handover times, meal times
Observe and absorb — First day is for getting oriented — don't pressure yourself

Building Relationships

With Your Mentor

Be proactive — don't wait to be told
Ask for feedback regularly
Share your learning objectives early
Be honest about what you can/can't do
Thank them for their time and teaching

With the Team

Learn everyone's names (write them down!)
Offer help with small tasks
Be reliable and follow through
Show enthusiasm and willingness to learn
Respect all roles — HCAs, cleaners, porters

With Patients

Introduce yourself clearly with your role
Use their preferred name (ask!)
Make eye contact and actively listen
Explain what you're doing and why
Maintain privacy and dignity always

Magic Phrases for Students

"Can I help with that?"

Shows initiative and willingness

"I haven't done this before — can you show me?"

Honest and eager to learn

"I'm not sure, let me find out"

Better than guessing

"Can I observe this procedure?"

Great for learning new skills

"Could you give me some feedback?"

Shows you want to improve

"Is there anything else I can do?"

Shows proactivity at quiet times

"Thank you for showing me that"

Shows appreciation for teaching

"I need to escalate this"

When you recognise something isn't right

Common Challenges & How to Handle Them

Feeling like you're in the way

This is normal. Ask "where would be helpful for me to stand?" Stay close to your mentor. Offer to get supplies or help with small tasks.

Not knowing what to do

Ask. "What would you like me to focus on today?" Use quiet time to review notes, read care plans, or observe documentation.

Difficult mentor relationship

Stay professional. Try to understand their perspective. If serious, speak to your Academic Assessor or placement coordinator early.

Witnessing poor practice

Don't copy it. Speak to your mentor/academic if unsure. Remember your duty to report concerns about patient safety.

Making a mistake

Own it immediately. Report it honestly. Learn from it. Everyone makes mistakes — it's how you handle them that matters.

Emotional situations

It's okay to be affected. Take a moment if needed. Debrief with mentor. Reflect on it. Seek support if struggling.

Long shifts and exhaustion

Prepare food in advance. Stay hydrated. Rest on days off. It gets easier as you adjust.

When to escalate

Patient safety concernBullying or harassmentWitnessed malpracticeYou feel unsafeMental health strugglingNeedlestick injuryPlacement breakdown

Maximising Your Learning

Follow a patient's full journey

Admission to discharge gives big-picture understanding

Attend MDT meetings & ward rounds

See how teams communicate and make decisions

Ask "why" questions

"Why do we check that?" "Why is this medication given?"

Practice skills as often as possible

Repetition builds confidence and competence

Review patient notes

Learn the language and how conditions progress

Use quiet time productively

Study, read policies, ask questions about equipment

Reflective Practice

Use Gibbs' Reflective Cycle: Description → Feelings → Evaluation → Analysis → Conclusion → Action Plan. Writing a brief reflection after significant experiences cements learning and builds your portfolio evidence.

PAD / ePAD & Documentation

Staying on Top of Your PAD

Review your PAD before each placement — Know what proficiencies and skills you need to achieve
Schedule regular meetings with your mentor — Weekly is ideal — don't leave everything to the end
Document as you go — Write up experiences and evidence regularly, not all at once
Be specific in your evidence — Use STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result
Get feedback in writing — Ask your mentor to document observations
Don't forge signatures or evidence — Academic misconduct has serious consequences

Self-Care on Placement

Physical

Eat properly, stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes, rest on days off

Emotional

Debrief after tough shifts, talk to someone, it's okay to cry

Social

Stay connected with friends/family, don't isolate yourself

Practical

Meal prep, sort uniform the night before, plan your commute

Remember

It's okay to have bad days — they don't define you. Imposter syndrome is normal; most students feel it. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. Your university has support services — use them. Every registered nurse was once exactly where you are now.

← Children's Hub