It can be nerve-wracking, but the journey from student to nurse is well worth it

Although it has been three and a half years ago since my first day at Northumbria University, I remember it like it was yesterday. I had waited so long for this day—for as long as I can remember I knew that I wanted to study child nursing.

University was stressful, but it was where I formed lifelong friendships, each one of us having a unique understanding of what we were all going through and how best to support one another. The university tutors have been a constant source of support—they have a sense of knowing who needs support and implement this behind the scenes.

The first days are always hard, and this never changed throughout the 3 years of studying. Each first day at placement was nerve wracking and, as the next placement came around, it often felt even more daunting than the previous one. Each placement has a higher set of expectations to ensure that each student is able to reach their full potential. The final placement was extremely nerve racking and mine was at a hospice. This worried me because I felt that I could be at a disadvantage due to the lack of clinical skills, but I quickly realised I was wrong.