26th February:
Day 1: Monday
Today was the first day of my second work placement. I chose to go to the nursing home in Portumna because I would like to think of nursing as a career. I really enjoyed myself today. I was paired up with one of the nurses on the ground floor today called Liz because it was only my first day. I did a lot of observing of getting the residents up for the day, dressing them, feeding them and doing lots of different activities with them like today was painting and also just talking to them. I changed beds, tidied rooms, brought dishes to the kitchen and at feeding times, laid out all the tables. I had my own uniform and badge. The starting time was 9 and finished at 4pm. I worked along side Julia which was good because I wasn't on my own. Overall I really enjoyed my experience today and look forward to tomorrow.
Day 2: Tuesday
Today was my second day of work experience, it wasn't as busy as yesterday. As today was my second day I wasn't paired up with anybody, I was told what had to be done amd as I was showed yesterday by Liz how to do everything I knew how and where these jobs had to be done. My morning started in the linen room upstairs with Julia sorting out the clean towels and putting them on the shelves. Then from around ten to 12:30 myself and Julia were sent down stairs where we met Alishia and we watched a DVD on elderly abuse and the different types which was 10 modules long. We then watched another DVD on hygiene and after this DVD Alishia taught us how to wash our hands correctly, put on amd take off aprons correctly and the same with gloves. She then showed us around the whole building and gave us more of an insight into how the residents use the buzzers assigned in their rooms if they need assistance with anything and she told us about all the different policies. We then went for our dinner upstairs and were back downstairs doing activities with the residents by 2;30pm. Today we did arts and crafts and played bingo. These finished at 4pm and it was then time for us to go home. Today was again an enjoyed one.
Day 3: Wednesday
Today was a very busy morning because as the weather was bad the staff were down 3 people and really needed myself and Julia's help. We made so many beds this morning I lost count. Today we did all the linen like sheets and duvets etc. This took forever as there is a linen room upstairs and downstairs. We played games and did activities again today like painting. At dinner because they were short staffed we helped with the setting of the tables and feeding some of the residents. We finished at four after a long day.
Day 4: Thursday
Today's weather was worse than yesterdays and there was again staff unable to come in. We made loads of beds this morning both upstairs and downstairs. We got the job of assessing all the bedrooms today which was fun but very time consuming. We then watched a DVD on dementia and alzheimer's which really showed us what is happening in the heads of people with this horrible disease. I feel like this DVD gave me a better understanding of the disease and why some of the residents act the way they do. Today all the residents had the hairdressers and it was lovely to see their excitement for this as it only happens once a week. We left at three today as the weather was getting worse and roads were promised bad. I really enjoyed today and the DVD.
Day 5: Friday
Myself and Julia were told not to come in today as the weather was too bad.
Overall I really enjoyed my Experience in the nursing home and really like the thoughts of being a nurse.