Clinical Placement

The first six weeks of the nursing program has forced me to turn myself inside out and examine/analyze a lot about my way of life. It has forced me to look deeply into my communication and listening skills. I have learned many different ways to deal with situations and problems that may arise with my impersonal and Intrapersonal relationships. I’ve been trying out different skills with my roommate and trying to really understand what we do in class by actually doing it. I have always found it hard to express myself if I thought I would hurt someone or that a confrontation may arise. But I am now more aware of different ways to handle conversations so that I express myself fully ant the outcome is wondrous and successful. - author unknown

Touch, to me is the most valuable sense. Being able to touch and feel your environment and the world around you is such an important tool. I find it so interesting that touch is so important to life and learning. The realization that many children are dying from not being touched by their parents is unreal and devastating. It is not a hard thing for parents to do – to touch, cradle, hug and kiss their children. This closely reflects on our society and the recent paranoia about sexual harassment, abuse etc, that is discouraging parents from touching their children affectionately. - author unknown

Continuing Care - ward 23 (RLI) Ward 23 is a combined elderly rehab and rheumatology ward. The merger of two formerly independent units has resulted in some tensions and unsettling within the staff, but overall the ward is coping well with what must have been a difficult transition phase. I really enjoyed this ward. The philosophy of care is built on maximising independence (along the lines of Orem's model) and promoting dignity and self worth to the (mainly) elderly client group. Although one cannot get away from the fact that it is a hospital ward, the aim is to make the environment as 'normal' as possible. Patients' own clothes are