1 year completed 6 months to go
Published: February 2025
This update is written by Alethea who graduated the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) in 2023.
Hello everyone!! My name is Alethea and I am a Graduate Nurse and Midwife. I have just completed my six month nursing rotation on the general surgical ward at the Angliss.
What a rotation! After my first shift, I was in tears, wondering how I would be able to get through six whole months. I was planning to make a calendar of every week I would be there so I would cross them off as they went to help me get through it, but before I knew it, the rotation was over. I ended up having the most amazing time! I learnt SO MUCH during the past six months, and got to work with the most beautiful team of nurses.
The ward I was on did team nursing, so it was 3 nurses to 15 patients in one team, and 2 nurses to 10 patients in the other. Having a 5:1 ratio took a bit of getting used to, and even towards the end of my rotation, I still found it challenging depending on the acuity of the patients. But the team nursing approach really helped, because I knew there were always other people in my team I could go to if I needed anything.
Due to some renovations at the Angliss, the surgical ward currently has both medical and surgical patients (including gynaecology patients). It was interesting working with the different teams of doctors, and seeing how the different specialties really are quite different. I think I prefer the surgical and gynaecology side of things, but I learnt so much from caring for more medical patients, and became a bit more confident and comfortable caring for patients with challenging behaviours, which is something I was so nervous about coming into this rotation. I did love it when we had pregnant women or women re-admitted postnatally and I could put some midwifery knowledge to use - even if it was just troubleshooting breast pump issues!
During the second half of last year, my work/life balance got so much better! I think the first six months was a huge adjustment period, but during the last six months I have loved spending more time with friends and family, and actually being present in my relationships with them, rather than just trying to get through the week! We have enjoyed so many walks and brunches, and heaps of concerts too which I loved!
Coming back to midwifery and all the familiar faces of the maternity team has been so lovely. The first day back on the postnatal ward was more challenging than I was expecting, switching from my nursing brain back to mid, but I think I have found my feet now and have had some great shifts. I have also been redeployed to birth suite and special care nursery, which was actually a huge blessing, as now I have been thrown into all areas so am not as nervous to go back!
I am so excited to be starting a rotation in antenatal clinic soon! I will do one day a week for the next six months. It will be such a great opportunity to learn and I will let you know how it goes!
I am also so excited for the new grads to start with us. Not going to lie, it will be nice to not be the most junior person on the floor, but I also hope that my cohort of grads can provide lots of support and reassurance to our new friends, having been in their shoes not too long ago :)