Sally Groffman, 9 May, 2022
Sally Groffman shares her experiences of uni and practical placement.
I chose to study nursing because I wanted to make a real difference in the lives of others. What attracted me to QUT was the sense of community, both on and off campus. I also received a Learning Potential Fund scholarship, which let me focus on my studies and be part of the university community. The scholarship also helped during my practical placements, allowing me to immerse myself and get the most out of the experience.
Before we go on placement academic staff prepare us with clinical practice classes and simulations that mimic the challenging scenarios we’ll face in a clinical setting. The academics give us support and advice to help us put theory from textbooks into real-life situations.
My tips for other students going on placement is to organise yourself beforehand. Revisit class content that’s relevant to the area you’ll be working in. Also life organisation, such as planning your meals and scheduling ‘you time’ between placement and study, will help prevent burnout!
What I’ve learnt about myself on placement is that I’m more capable than I might think.
I’ve completed placement in Queensland’s largest Emergency and Trauma Centre, specialised clinical settings such as cancer care, paediatrics and plastics, as well as different community health clinics on metro and regional placements. I’ve assisted in responding to traumas and I witnessed an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the Emergency Department.
I’ve also learnt that my time can make a difference in someone else’s life. I can provide person-centred care and forge therapeutic relationships with both patients and their families, so their hospital experience is dignified from admission to discharge.
My advice for anyone considering uni is to take advantage of every opportunity presented to you.
Be sure to get involved in all aspects of university life, take advantage of the amazing student clubs and societies on offer from first year! If you can, go on exchange, participate in a study tour, get to know the academics who are teaching you—learn from their experience.
Being an active member of the QUT community helps you to make friends. I found that working with Student Success Group I gained meaningful friendships with peers from all walks of life.
Uni life is meant to be enjoyed! Always take up the opportunity to interact with students from other disciplines, you have so much to learn from each other.
