The Student Nurse Toolkit: An Essential Guide for Surviving Your Course

Your very own companion to any pre–registration nursing course!   Packed with advice, hints and tips, this essential, practical guide will orientate and guide you through your nursing course even before you start. Written in a straightforward, no–nonsense style, this Toolkit is full of strategies and help for surviving and succeeding on your pre–registration nursing course, and addresses all the key issues and concerns you may face, including:  How to get the most out of your clinical placement The nursing terminology you need to know – including NMC standards How to create a professional Portfolio How to achieve a healthy work–life balance How to develop an effective relationship with your mentor  With case studies from real students, hands–on activities and suggestions for further reading, this is THE essential survival guide for your nursing course!

Dedication, vi Acknowledgements, vi Preface, vii CHAPTER 1 Entry to Nursing, 1 CHAPTER 2 The Nursing and Midwifery Council and Other Regulatory Bodies, 15 CHAPTER 3 Nursing Education: the Standards for Pre–registration Nurse Education, 27 CHAPTER 4 Nursing, Health and Social Care, 43 CHAPTER 5 Assessment Tools, 60 CHAPTER 6 The Essential Skills Clusters, 79 CHAPTER 7 The University Setting, 98 CHAPTER 8 Practice Learning Opportunities, 115 CHAPTER 9 The Nursing Elective, 131 CHAPTER 10 Managing Self, 143 CHAPTER 11 Terminology: Terms Used in Healthcare, 162 CHAPTER 12 Evidence–Based Practice, 178 CHAPTER 13 Refl ective Practice, 195 CHAPTER 14 Your Professional Portfolio, 212 CHAPTER 15 Records and Record Keeping, 230 CHAPTER 16 Protocols, Policies and Legal Matters, 249 CHAPTER 17 Clinical Academic Careers, 268 CHAPTER 18 Preceptorship and Continuing Professional Development, 281 CHAPTER 19 What Do I Do If...? Questions You Did Not Want To Ask Out Loud, 298 Index, 313

Ian Peate is Visiting Professor at the University of West London and Editor–in–Chief of British Journal of Nursing.