Student life - Coping in a crisis

Abstract

after death?’ I was surrounded by doctors and technicians on my fi rst placement when the patient had chosen to ask me the question. It was her way of saying ‘I’m scared of dying’. While taking a blood pressure or knowing about medications are important, so too are building trust and learning to empathise and be compassionate. Few students complete their training without a crisis and it is how they respond that determines the nurse they become. Only when I made an error did I learn that nurses need courage and humility to admit to, and learn from, mistakes. Nurses are registered because it takes integrity to protect patients and families, and that responsibility starts from their fi rst day as a nursing student. Nurses cannot stick to the Nursing and Midwifery Council code to ‘make the care of people your fi rst concern’ unless they are well themselves. They should ask for help and support each other. Nursing is about caring for each other and taking care of ourselves. Nursing students should challenge themselves and be open to opportunities. Why not write your feelings and hopes in a letter to be opened on graduation day and see how you have changed? NS