Nursing
Practice Placements
Through the practice placements you are able to develop the key skills you will need as a qualified nurse. Placements help to build self-confidence and encourage you to become more autonomous as you progress through the course.
You are allocated a practice mentor as well as being supported by a member of University staff. On placement you are encouraged to reflect upon your experiences and share thoughts and ideas with your practice mentor. You are offered the opportunity to follow patients as they receive care from different agencies. Client follow-through is a feature of all pathways.
The practice placements take place in a variety of locations in local hospitals and community facilities in both the public and independent sectors. Placements can be anywhere in Teesside and County Durham. Although we try to place students within a home trust, travel further afield may be necessary. While on placement you will be expected to undertake shifts, night and weekend duties.
Students on the Adult Nursing pathway may find themselves in a range of environments, including hospices, nursing homes and GP surgeries as well as within hospitals in such areas as accident and emergency, orthopaedics, and medical and surgical wards.
Placements for those on the Mental Health pathway include acute mental health, enduring mental health, the older person with mental health problems and addictive behaviour settings. You also spend time with Community Psychiatric Nurses.
Students on the Learning Disabilities pathway may find themselves working with clients with complex needs and those who exhibit challenging behaviour. All age ranges are covered, from children and adolescents to the elderly.
Students on the Child Nursing pathway experience a variety of placements in settings including children’s units, special care baby units and hospices. Placements with health visitors and paediatric specialist community nurses will introduce them to the work of nurses in the community.