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New year, new stories

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What was your experience like attending a MARAC?

Attending a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) was a very valuable and insightful experience. It increased my awareness of the complex decision-making processes that take place behind closed doors when managing high-risk situations, particularly in relation to safeguarding and domestic abuse. I gained a deeper understanding of how serious and sensitive these cases are, and the level of responsibility involved in ensuring the safety of individuals at risk.

What was it like working with different fields?

Working with professionals from different disciplines was particularly interesting, as it allowed me to see the situation from multiple perspectives. Each professional contributed unique insights based on their role, which helped build a more comprehensive understanding of the case. This collaborative approach reduces the risk of overlooking important information and supports more effective and informed decision-making.

Was there any surprises during the MARAC meeting?

There were no major surprises, as I had some prior awareness of MARAC meetings and their purpose. However, observing the process in practice reinforced my understanding and highlighted the structured and coordinated nature of these discussions.

How would you feel if you needed to attend a MARAC as a qualified nurse?

I believe I would feel both nervous and reassured. I would feel some level of anxiety due to the seriousness of the cases and the responsibility involved in contributing to safeguarding decisions. However, I would also feel reassured knowing that I am part of a multidisciplinary team working together to improve someone’s safety and quality of life.

What will you take away from this session?

One of the key takeaways from this session is the importance of close collaboration between different agencies when making complex and high-risk decisions. It highlighted how essential communication, information sharing, and teamwork are in safeguarding practice. This experience has reinforced the importance of a holistic, multi-agency approach in achieving the best possible outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

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Life beyond the cubical

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Reflection: Me, me and me.

This session was very intense, and I found that it took time to fully process the information that was presented. The content was highly valuable and relevant to practice, particularly in developing an understanding of how trauma can influence patients’ behaviours, attitudes, and responses to care. It reinforced the importance of adopting a trauma-informed approach when working with individuals who may have experienced adverse events.

However, I believe the session could be improved by delivering the content across two separate sessions. This would allow students more time to reflect and process the emotional and complex nature of the topic, especially for those who may have personal experiences of trauma. Providing space for reflection is essential to ensure that the learning is both meaningful and supportive.

On a personal level, this session had an emotional impact on me. While I was fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment where my needs were met, it made me reflect on the experiences of some of my family members and friends who have not had the same opportunities. This increased my empathy and awareness of how differently individuals may experience and respond to trauma.

The session also highlighted the importance of self-awareness. I believe that when individuals do not acknowledge or address their own trauma, it can affect how they perceive and respond to others’ behaviours. Recognising this is crucial in healthcare, as it supports more compassionate, non-judgemental, and person-centred care.

Overall, I strongly believe that more teaching on this topic would be beneficial, potentially as part of a personal and professional development strand within the programme. This would support students in developing greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to provide truly holistic and person-centred care.

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The induction gave me a better understanding of the OSCE requirements and passing criteria, which build up my confidence for the exam.

SIM 4: In Patient Trauma

I found this simulation to be the most realistic experience so far, as it closely reflected the fast-paced and high-pressure nature of clinical practice. Throughout the session, I developed a range of knowledge and practical skills, which also helped me recognise that the Emergency Department (ED) is an area I am particularly interested in pursuing.

At the beginning of the simulation, our team lacked confidence and structure, which impacted how we approached patient care. However, as we progressed through each scenario, we became more organised, communicated more effectively, and developed greater confidence in our roles. This progression highlighted how essential teamwork and leadership are in influencing patient outcomes, particularly in acute settings where timely and coordinated care is critical.

This experience helped me understand that effective teamwork is closely linked to organisation and the delivery of safe, high-quality care. By the final scenario, our team demonstrated improved collaboration, clearer role allocation, and a better overall understanding of the patient’s condition. As a result, we were able to provide more efficient and patient-centred care.

Moving forward, I will aim to further develop my communication and teamwork skills, as well as build confidence in taking on leadership roles when appropriate, to ensure I can contribute effectively to patient care in high-pressure environments.

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Ceritificare: Module 6: Resources for Families and Friends

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SIM 1: Community

Having recently completed a 10-week community placement as a District Nurse (DN), the knowledge and skills required for this simulation were still fresh in my mind. This allowed me to engage well with the scenario and recognise how closely it reflected the realities of the DN role in practice.

The simulation provided a useful insight into community nursing, particularly in relation to holistic patient assessment and care planning. However, I found some aspects slightly confusing due to organisational issues, and I felt that parts of the role play were less effective as they did not provide sufficient information to fully inform decision-making.

Despite this, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion was particularly valuable. It enhanced my understanding of collaborative working and reinforced the importance of considering multiple perspectives when assessing patient needs. This aspect of the simulation strengthened my clinical reasoning and highlighted the importance of communication within the MDT to ensure patient-centred care.

Moving forward, I will continue to build on my assessment skills and apply a holistic approach when evaluating patients in the community, while also valuing the role of MDT collaboration in achieving optimal outcomes.

SIM 5: Ward Game

Although I have previously managed a bay, this simulation offered a new level of responsibility, as I was required to make autonomous decisions based on patients’ medical histories and current clinical conditions. This was a valuable opportunity to apply my clinical knowledge in a more independent and decision-focused context.

I was responsible for Bay 2, and I found the experience both challenging and rewarding. It allowed me to use my clinical judgement to prioritise care, make informed decisions, and justify my reasoning. Being required to rationalise each decision encouraged deeper critical thinking and led me to carry out further assessments and consider appropriate interventions.

This simulation significantly increased my confidence and highlighted the importance of accountability in nursing practice. It also reinforced the need to base decisions on a thorough understanding of the patient’s condition rather than making assumptions.

By the end of the activity, I decided not to discharge any patients from my bay, opting instead for continued assessment and monitoring. This decision reflected a cautious and patient-centred approach, prioritising safety and ensuring that all clinical concerns were fully addressed.

Overall, this was a highly valuable learning experience that will support my transition into a newly qualified nurse, particularly in developing confidence, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills.

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SIM 2: ICU medicine and SIM 7: Major incidents

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SIM 2: ICU medicine and SIM 7: Major incidents

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SIM 2: ICU Medicine (Diary Reflection)

Monday 13th April 2026

Hello, my name is Alina and I was your nurse today. My priority throughout the shift was to ensure your comfort, dignity, and safety while you remained in our care. It was an emotional day, not only clinically but also from a family-centred perspective.

Your wife and son visited you today, and it was clear how much they care about you. Your wife appeared very anxious and overwhelmed, particularly about your current condition and the uncertainty of your recovery. Your son was visibly upset and spoke about how much he misses spending time with you, especially playing football together. He brought in your favourite football shirts, which we placed within your view to provide familiarity and comfort.

I took time to support and reassure them, explaining the care you are receiving and emphasising that you are being closely monitored and kept comfortable. I also acknowledged their emotions and reassured them that they are not alone, and that we are here to support them as well as you. By the end of the visit, they appeared slightly more at ease, which highlighted the importance of effective communication and emotional support in intensive care settings.

This experience reinforced for me that nursing in ICU is not only about managing complex clinical needs, but also about providing compassionate, holistic care that includes the patient’s family. It reminded me of the importance of empathy, clear communication, and family involvement in improving the overall care experience.

SIM 7: Major Incident

I found this simulation extremely engaging and it further confirmed my strong interest in working in acute care settings. It provided valuable insight into how different areas, particularly the Emergency Department, must work together efficiently during high-pressure situations.

During the simulation, I took on the role of coordinator for minor injuries and the waiting area. This responsibility required prioritisation, organisation, and effective communication. However, due to the fast-paced and demanding nature of the scenario, I missed signs of internal bleeding in one patient, which unfortunately led to their deterioration and cardiac arrest.

When the patient arrested, I initiated CPR immediately and worked collaboratively with the team, taking turns to ensure effective resuscitation. Although the team responded well, I felt disappointed in myself for initially missing what, in hindsight, were significant clinical indicators. This highlighted how easily important details can be overlooked in busy environments.

Despite this, the experience was a powerful learning opportunity. It reinforced the importance of maintaining situational awareness, even when managing multiple patients, and the need to continually reassess and prioritise care. It also demonstrated the critical role of teamwork and leadership in managing major incidents effectively and ensuring patient safety.

Moving forward, I will focus on improving my ability to recognise early signs of deterioration, even under pressure, and continue to develop my leadership and coordination skills. Overall, this simulation strengthened my understanding of acute care demands and confirmed my motivation to work in this area.

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Sim 6: Anaphylaxis/ emergencies and Sim 3: Meds 2

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Sim 6: Anaphylaxis/ emergencies and Sim 3: Meds 2

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Sim 6: Anaphylaxis/ emergencies

Anaphylaxis is a very new situation that i never came across to. I do have limited informations as i came across of it in movies and internet, however i did never had a real life situation where i had a patient suffering of Anaphylaxis and needed an EpiPen. It was a valuable session, that gave me more clarity, explained us the process and the reason behind it. I had the opportunity to learn how to assess, escalate, discharge and educate a patient that suffered a sudden Anaphylaxis following a flu vaccine. I also had the opportunity to learn how to use an EpiPan. I also learnt that another EpiPen can be done again after 5 minutes, so it is very important to write down the time of the first EpiPen.

The session had a good structure of 3 parts which made it easier to follow. The first part focused on the patient anaphylaxis onset and administration of EpiPen and escalation to 999, while part 2 looked at the patient deterioration and escalation to ICU, continuuing assessment and stabilising the patient for safer transfer and the last part focused on the patient discarge, including education about EpiPen, anaphylaxis and circumstances that could affect his health. It also allowed me to practice how to handle and administrate an EpiPen.

Sim 3: Meds 2

During my simulated placement on medication administration as a third-year student, I encountered three different scenarios that challenged my knowledge and confidence. One of the most unfamiliar aspects was working with medications prescribed on paper charts, as I have mainly been exposed to electronic prescribing systems. This required me to slow down, carefully read prescriptions, and ensure I fully understood each instruction.

A key learning point from this experience was recognising errors related to the routes of administration. I noticed that many of my mistakes came from misinterpreting or overlooking the correct route, which highlighted the importance of paying close attention to prescription details rather than making assumptions. As a result, I have become more aware of how critical the correct route is for patient safety.

Additionally, this simulation helped me improve my understanding of common abbreviations for routes of administration, which will support me in interpreting prescriptions more accurately in future practice.

Overall, this experience has increased my confidence in handling paper medication charts and reinforced the importance of accuracy, attention to detail, and patient safety in medication administration. Moving forward, I will continue to review abbreviations and practise interpreting different prescription formats to strengthen my competence.