by Claire Kernaghan

Created on: July 03, 2007

The first year of nursing school can be quite a wake up call, being a nurse involves a great deal of knowledge and the desire and ability to update that knowledge on a regular basis, it's known as evidence based practice. This means using the latest technology based on the evidence the research has presented to perform nursing tasks to the best of your ability while taking into account time management and what is best for the patient.

To study nursing you not only need to be able to study extremely hard, you need to complete clinical placement. This can last for as long as 8 weeks (as the course progresses) and is in majority of circumstances unpaid work in which you need to pay for your own travel, accommodation (as you may get sent to the middle of nowhere hospital), food and even uniform. These expenses you are not reimbursed for, and in most cases the work that you do is under appreciated and depending on the type of people you are working with can sometimes be seen as a burden in which the teaching nurses feel they barely have enough time for their patients let alone teaching a know-nothing student how to do their job!

Don't let this put you off, after all, clinical placement is not forever and the time generally flies by. Also, don't let one bad clinical placement put you off your nursing career, some people are not suited to some areas of nursing. Your next placement my be much more enjoyable and will leave you feeling empowered for your nursing career.

During the first year of nursing you can expect subjects such as human biology (includes immunology and microbiology), sociology, law and ethics and foundations of nursing (i.e. the basics). Because Australia is such a multi-cultural society we studied indigenous histories and cultures in the first year of nursing.

It is generally in the first year of nursing studies that will make or break your decision in the nursing industry. Most students start out wanting to get into midwifery (the 'happier' side of nursing), although this requires additional studies, as a general statement by the end of your course you have changed your mind and found another area that interest you more.

Nursing is a growing profession, and unfortunately people are always going to be sick so once you graduate you are almost guaranteed a job. Nursing can take you to all different parts of the globe and many different areas, and although you do not seem to get much recognition the self-satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the day should bring a smile to you face, knowing that in some way or another you helped save or extend someones life! There are not many jobs that can offer you that.

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