Charles Darwin University’s first year nursing students got their first real taste of life in the wards during a recent visit to Royal Darwin Hospital as part of their clinical teaching block.
The Bachelor of Nursing students came from all over Australia to take part in the visit which included a morning in the medical and surgical wards, providing the students some real life experience before their formal placements.
The students “buddied up” with second year nursing students who are currently on placement to give them an idea of what the second year of the degree entails.
Clinical Supervisor of Charles Darwin University’s School of Health Sciences, Bernie Eaton said the experience gave the students an introduction to the real nursing experience which included an opportunity to participate in basic nursing care of patients in the wards.
“The department staff who provided clinical support to the CDU student nurses throughout the academic year were absolutely brilliant,” she said.
“The students felt the experience was rewarding and really felt that they had contributed to the care of patients and to the nurses’ workload.
“I would like to extend a special thankyou to Pauline Mattschoss who has worked tirelessly with clinical placement staff at CDU, and the clinical nurse managers of the wards who have accepted the students and made their experience a positive one.”
CDU would like to thank members of the health care team who have contributed their time and commitment to ensure the nursing students had a positive and rewarding experience.