Insight visits are a fantastic way to further your learning. We work as a large multi-disciplinary team within ED and there are ample opportunities to work with different professions and agencies here. Opportunities include

• CATS team
• Advanced Clinical Practitioners
• IDT
• Acute medicine ward
• Major Trauma ward
• Emergency surgery
• Redthread
• Emergency Nurse Practitioners
• Research Nursing

Please arrange these days yourself and inform your assessor/ supervisor and Cat Jakins of your arrangements so your rota can be adjusted accordingly.

You will follow the shift pattern of your supervisor/ assessor whilst on placement. The shift patterns run Monday-Sunday 7 days a week and span 24 hours. Shifts commence at 0700 with roll call therefore you must attend prior to the start of your shift to be ready for this. Shifts end at 1930 after handing over to the night shift team. Night shifts begin at 1900, end at 0730 and the same rule applies for roll call. You will work three long days per week with a fourth shift every four weeks dependant on your hours needed from your university allocation. If you have any plans in place regarding your welfare that restricts your ability to complete such shifts please inform student nurse lead Cat Jakins as soon as possible prior to commencing your placement.

You will be allocated your supervisor and assessor prior to placement. If you are related to/ know anyone who already works in the department please contact Cat Jakins prior to placement so arrangements can be made around this at full discretion.

Trauma/Medical Alerts - Red phones in resus – Although you cannot answer the red phone you can be involved in auctioning the call that comes through looking at the decision making process around the level of preparation need before the patient arrives.

Cardiac arrests- CPR We encourage practicing compressions whilst a student as it is less daunting than waiting until you have qualified. Please make your supervisors/assessors aware of any fears or worries you have around this task as we are aware this can be distressing.

Wound care and Aseptic Technique under supervision, excluding suturing however you may work with a theatre nurse who will assist you in assessing wounds under a local anaesthetic

Streaming of patients under supervision alongside your supervisors/assessors you will be able to stream patients, discuss our multiple triage categories including ‘fast track’ for patients not suitable for the emergency department however needing further specialist medical care

A-E assessments – This is a vital task that you will carry with you throughout your nursing career. Within the emergency department you will be able to hone in on this skill and improve your knowledge behind this vital acronym that inevitably saves lives.

 Triaging under supervision with your supervisors/assessors you will be able to initially discuss patients’ reason for attending the emergency department and correctly triage and move a patient to the correct treatment area.

Transferring of patients to acute areas including ICU & Theatre. This will involve handing over patients to other medical professionals.

Oral medications / IV fluids please remember any Controlled Drugs/ IV medications MUST be double checked by 2 nurses, you can be third checker whilst you are on placement here. We encourage you to prepare medications and follow the five rights of medication administration.

Working with mental health patients and DPM as you and the patient are comfortable with. Mental health presentations are the fifth largest cause of emergency department admissions.

Working alongside police in the department where appropriate.

Working alongside ANP, ENP, Red Thread and physio as well as the discharge team

If you are unwell and unable to attend you must contact the School of Nursing and the Emergency Department.

Please call DREEAM Monday to Friday 7am till 3pm on Ext 86183/82491/70105 and they will contact your supervisors/assessors and record your sickness.

After 3pm, weekends and bank holidays please call the nurse in charge on 07595285050

In addition Adult Nursing students should email Cat Jakins on Catriona.jakins@nuh.nhs.uk

The hospital is located on Derby Road and is easily accessible by many bus routes, car or tram. There is a park and ride service (medilink or tram) available if required or pay and display visitor parking available for £8 a day. You will not be able to get a staff/student permit whilst on placement with us, due to high demand and limited spaces. Please speak to Cat Jakins if you have any concerns or want more advice about getting to the department for shifts.

The Emergency department is located on A Floor is most easily accessed through Urgent Treatment Unit entrance, next to the disabled car park. DREEAM can be found on the back corridor of A floor and is signposted throughout.

It is expected that you will attend your shift in plain clothes and change into your uniform on arrival. On leaving your shift, change out of your uniform and back into plain clothes. This is in line with trust regulations.

We hope that you have an insightful and educational placement with us, however if you do have an immediate concern of risk to life please escalate immediately to senior staff on shift.

For any other concerns, please raise these to your practice assessor or practice supervisor accordingly. If you feel unable to raise these concerns to them you can contact Hannah Bunford-Jones at Hannah.bunford-jones@nuh.nhs.uk 

Furthermore, your Practice Education team are available. This team include:

Cara Azad - Institute Practice Development Lead – cara.azad@nuh.nhs.uk

Natasha Mcvey - Institute Project Lead (Undergraduate Education) – Natasha.mcvey@nuh.nhs.uk