I loved my nursing home placement

During their degree student nurses complete 2,300 hours of practice learning – a mix of placements in a range of settings and simulated practice at uni.

Final year Nursing (Adult) BSc(Hons) Maddie Browne spent one of her placements at a nursing home, and as Senior lecturer John Krohne explained: “Nursing homes can be viewed by students as not the best placement, but they can be a great experience.”

We caught up with Maddie to learn more about her experience:

“Prior to beginning my degree, I had been a health care assistant in nursing homes for nine years, so when I was told that I was due to have a placement in a local nursing home I was over the moon as I knew I would feel confident and comfortable.

“My nursing home placement was for four weeks in a 67-bed luxury home, specialising in dementia care. Despite my own feelings of happiness regarding this placement, I know many of my peers would have been filled with dread at the thought of a nursing home placement, so I wanted to share my experiences and hopefully help to change these thoughts as I had a wonderful time.

“I think working with the elderly is something that all student nurses should experience. Their wisdom and life experiences are very humbling and have definitely had a huge impact on the nearly qualified nurse I am today.

“Being on placement in the nursing home is an entirely different experience to being in the hospitals, there is a much more homely atmosphere, with incredibly friendly staff who actually enjoy teaching due to having the capacity to do so. Despite the belief that you will ‘de-skill’ if you choose to work in a nursing home, I can honestly say that this was one of the most clinical placements I experienced.

“On a daily basis I helped with many bilateral leg dressings and wound care, as well as setting up medication for syringe drivers, long term drains for ascites, venepuncture, catheterisation and meds rounds. The nurses additionally helped with a lot of personal care, which is something that I feel is vital to really get an insight into your patient’s skin integrity and general well-being.

“My 12-hour shifts In the nursing home used to go so quickly, and there was never a dull moment as there is always a resident that would love to have a chat!

“For me personally, I really enjoyed my experience and loved being able to actually get to know my patients and form a bond with them, which is not always easy to do in a hospital setting. I have made so many friends from this placement and even managed to get myself employment there as a health care assistant to support me during my studies.

“I really do encourage all nursing students to keep an open mind and not be disheartened by the prospect of a nursing home placement, you never know, you might find your calling!

Find out how you can become a nurse with the University of Brighton.