university specific - manchester Flashcards
Why do you want to be a nurse (specifically adult nurse?)
of all the nursing roles, adult nurses work with the widest range of patients, treating people from a variety of backgrounds and the settings you could end up working in are incredibly diverse. In addition, I think adult nursing is a flexible career choice that allows me to progress into other roles as I build on my experience. As adult nurses are in high demand, it means that there will be plentiful employment opportunities when I graduate
How do you think you will adapt to studying at university?
I think it will be both an exciting and challenging opportunity with chances for me to work on my independence. School has strengthened my communication skills so I will definitely be actively engaging in lectures and discussions and participating in group work to enhance my understanding of the course. I intend to fully take advantage of the resources provided at university such as the library and tutoring. I like to also think of myself as a social individual so I think it will be easy to build a support network and connect with other students to help alleviate some of the pressures of university life. So overall, I think a proactive and positive approach will help me successfully adapt to university life
How will you manage your time between practical learning, time in practice learning environments, and studying
I think it requires a balanced approach and it will probably take time to get into a set schedule but prioritisation will definitely be a help. I think determining which tasks are most important and making a priority list accordingly will allow me to focus on what needs to be done first so that I don’t miss any deadlines. By creating a schedule, I can allocate specific blocks of time for practical learning etc and it will ensure that I stay organised and dedicate enough time to each area. As well as balancing all these tasks, I also intend to make time for self-care by doing anything that will relax me to ensure that I stay refreshed and focused
what skills do you think are important for a nurse to have? where have i used similar skills
Providing care that meets the unique needs of patients is an essential part of nursing. During my volunteering, I have had to cater to fit patient needs when going around the ward with the snack trolley. if I didn’t have a snack that they want, then I’d provide suitable alternatives to meet their dietary requirements. A compassionate nurse shows kindness to patients especially when they’re in a vulnerable situation and I’ve used done this, again, in volunteering when dealing with distressed and upset patients. Competence refers to being skilled and I’ve had to use my problem-solving skills in a customer-facing role when dealing with unsatisfied customers. Communication is an incredibly important skill for a nurse to have as it is essential for understanding patient needs, and building relationships with patients and other healthcare professionals. I use my own communication skills often for example, when working in retail and communicating with customers to meet their needs and resolve issues. In a situation where a patient’s safety is at risk, nurses need the courage to speak up and courage can manifest in situations outside of nursing. For example, on many occasions I’ve had to refuse refunds to certain customers and even though, they may get upset and shout, by standing my ground; I displayed courage. Nurses must be dedicated to their work and have a commitment to the well-being of their patients; and my main commitment at the moment, is my part time job on the weekends, alongside school which shows my dedication to the team. Overall, I believe there are many traits and skills that a nurse must have.
recent topical development in nursing
A recent topical development in nursing is the increased emphasis on mental health support for healthcare workers, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many nursing organizations and healthcare facilities have been implementing programs aimed at addressing burnout and mental health challenges faced by nurses. This includes mental health days, counseling services, and peer support programs. Additionally, the shift towards integrating mental health care into nursing education has gained traction, reflecting the importance of holistic care in nursing practice. This focus not only aims to improve the well-being of nurses but also to enhance patient care by ensuring that healthcare providers are mentally fit to perform their roles effectively.
issues important to nursing
a survey that was conducted between may and july of 2023 showed that racial discrimination was experienced by more than 70% of Black and minority ethnic staff who had been trained in the UK, and by 53% of those who had been trained abroad. for example, their performance has faced greater scrutiny than that of their white colleagues. From this news, I think i think the NHS needs to make more proactive efforts tackle the issue of racism for example, by adopting a culture where racism is spoken about routinely in order to bring awareness to it.
The racism nurses reported experiencing in the new survey doesn’t always come from patients; many said they experienced such behavior from co-workers, supervisors, senior health leaders, and human resources personnel, including being called slurs, being harassed, and being humiliated in front of others
talk about technology later on
what a levels do you do that relate to nursing
biology - highly relevant to nursing as it lays a foundation in biological principles and processes. for example, a level bio covers systems like the circulatory and nervous system which is crucial for understanding how the human body functions. nurses need this knowledge to monitor patients, understand symptoms etc. knowledge of genetics is useful for understanding hereditary diseases which can help nurses educate patients about family history-related risks. scientific skills e.g data analysis can be useful when evaluating new medical studies.
chemistry: provides essential knowledge and skills that underpin aspects of healthcare practice. understanding medications + pharmacology - chemical composition of drugs, solutions and concentrations - for nurses to prepare and administer IV fluids + other treatments that require understanding of concentrations
psychology: helps nurses understand human behaviour + psychological aspects of patient care. mental health disorders e.g schizophrenia, depression etc that nurses encounter frequently. knowledge of psychological therapies eg CBTs. emphasises impact of cultural and social factors on behaviour and attitudes - important for providing culturally competent care.
