🏥 What’s it like to do a nursing placement in an Australian hospital?
I’m currently placed in the nephrology ward 🫘. Every day is filled with real experiences and new clinical knowledge you won’t find in textbooks!
There are two main zones in the nephrology ward:
- Dialysis unit
- Admission ward
Most of my time is spent in the admission zone, caring for inpatients who are staying in hospital.
Week 1: Shadowing the RN
I followed the RN (Registered Nurse) everywhere, helping with small tasks while getting used to medical abbreviations, Aboriginal cultural awareness, and paperwork!
Taking responsibility for my own patient
After the first few days, my facilitator started assigning me one patient per day. I had to plan care, assist with tasks, and report to the primary nurse.
🕗 Morning duties:
- Vital signs
- Patient history and assessment
- Morning medications
- Bed making and hygiene
🕑 Afternoon duties:
- Vital signs again
- Medications
- Documentation review
- Nursing progress notes
Learning from comorbidities
Many patients have conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or blood disorders that affect their kidney health. It’s a great chance to see how these are managed together.
This placement offers real practice!
There are only two students in the whole ward, which means we get to practice a lot and improve both technical and communication skills every day.
If you're preparing for your clinical placement, I hope this article gives you a clearer picture of what to expect 😊
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What skills are needed for a nephrology placement?
Basic assessment skills, taking vital signs, administering medication, and communicating with both nurses and patients are essential.
Is it hard to do a nursing placement in Australia?
It can be challenging at first because the system and abbreviations differ from Thailand. But with good preparation and support from your facilitator, you’ll adjust well.
Can student nurses really care for patients?
Yes, under the supervision of a registered nurse. You’ll start with simple tasks and gradually take on more responsibility.
How should I prepare before starting placement?
Practice reading medical documents in English, review how to take vital signs, and learn basic hospital vocabulary.
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