Student Nurse placements are an inevitable part of a Nursing degree, providing opportunity for on-the-job learning and development, greatly enhancing a Student Nurse’s understanding of their career choice.
Elysium Healthcare offers around 400 student placements a year, including placements in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Psychology providing first-hand experience across our services in Mental Health, CAMHS, Neurological and LD&A.
Felix, a Student Nurse studying at the University of the West of England, found his placement time at The Dean a transformative experience, shaping not only his clinical knowledge but also instilling in a deep sense of empathy and resilience. Learn more about Felix’s educational and emotionally moving experience at The Dean Neurological Centre in Gloucester.
“Entering The Dean Neurological rehabilitation centre, a vibrant and contagious energy hummed in the air. Laughter mixed with the buzzing of service user call bells, service users on therapy equipment in the hallway, staff walking up and down carrying on with their duties, all happening synergistically. When I was sent to The Dean by my school (The University of the West of England) for placement, it made me very inquisitive to know more about the neurological and rehabilitation centre as a mental health student.
From my very first visit I felt welcomed, the warmth and charisma I felt from the member of staff who showed me around The Dean made me realise that this was the right place for my placement.
Walking into The Dean the first week of my placement was invigorating because my practice assessor introduced me to some service users with neurological and different physical conditions who also had mental health conditions. I was open to learn the cause of their conditions, how they are cared for and learn how to support them effectively. It was quite challenging initially because I have not been exposed to a centre like The Dean where we have service users with trachea, ventilators, and other different physical conditions. All this reminded me of the fragility of the human’s life and a proof of how the human body can heal and recover with the right care.
The Therapy Team, Psychologists, Nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team work together to give quality care, putting the service user at the very centre of care. I saw service users managing their conditions daily with the help of carers towards the path of recovery, hoping to get better. The sensory, therapy and gym area of the Dean are spectacular, which most of the residents at The Dean have told me specifically that they look forward to in their sessions every week as therapy is an important aspect of their rehabilitation.
My interaction with some of the service users was a good learning experience for me, learning to communicate effectively, adapting my approach to meet their individual needs and expectations; this awakened in me the importance of patient-centred care. Some shared their daily struggles and pains with me, I felt humbled, empathetic, and compassionate because they had a normal life before their incident.
The Dean has opened me to the world of care in a professional way as a Student Nurse. It is now obvious to me how care is planned by the multidisciplinary team, focusing on the needs of the service user. The Nurses, GP, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Dietitians, Healthcare Assistants and other healthcare professionals all work together daily at The Dean to deliver a person centred and quality care.
I could see that every resident has their individual needs, there is no blanket rule. I saw the triangle of care in real time; that is the patients/families, the professionals, and the carers working together to achieve the same goals. The dedication and passion of the staff was contagious and inspired me to strive for excellence and uphold the highest standard of care. Presently, I can now understand how neurological and physical conditions can deteriorate into mental health conditions if not managed effectively.
Witnessing the emotional toll on the staff and service user’s due to their neurological conditions were a crucial learning experience for me. Balancing different emotions, compassion, fatigue, optimism with realistic expectation was a milestone because at times they become difficult to navigate. These challenges have equipped me with more tools to navigate emotional complexities of healthcare in future.
The strong and caring leadership of The Dean is so effective, keeping the work environment a safe place for both staff and patients. The Dean has a very diverse team and although not always an easy task to bring different people from around the world and expect them to integrate immediately to the culture and ethics of the organisation, The Dean does this with love and tenacity surpassing any obstacles.
I did not want to leave The Dean so soon as I have made good relationships with the staff and residents and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I carry with me more than clinical knowledge but The Dean also. My greatest joy is that I have witnessed the transformative power of rehabilitation both physical and emotional, I have seen residents improve in such a short time. This experience has awakened in me the passion for neurology and shows how the human spirit strength and the power of collaborative care can do wonders. As I continue my journey in the Nursing field, the lessons learned at The Dean will continue to guide me and reminding me of the privilege to be part of someone’s recovery journey.”
By: Felix (Student Nurse)
University of the West of England.
As a newly Qualified Nurse are you feeling inspired by Student Nurse Felix’s experience at Elysium? If you are looking to kickstart your career in an organisation that can help you develop and achieve your goals, then Elysium has the opportunity for you. As an Elysium Nurse, you can expect to have a rewarding and diverse career that offers not only job stability, lifelong learning, and a diverse range of career opportunities but also the opportunity to positively impact people’s lives. Click here to find a role near you and join a workforce of committed and motivated Nurses.