Your First Placement Survival Guide
First Placement Survival Guide: What Every Student Nurse Should Know
Stepping onto a ward for your first ever placement is one of the most exciting, and nerve-wracking, moments of nursing school. You’re about to put theory into practice, meet real patients, and work alongside experienced healthcare teams.
This survival guide is packed with tips, expectations, and encouragement to help you thrive during your first clinical placement.
🌟 What to Expect on Day One
No matter your placement area—ward, community, or clinic—your first day will likely include:
An induction to the area
Meeting your practice supervisor and team
A tour of the environment (where to find PPE, drug cupboards, crash trolley, etc.)
A check on your placement paperwork (e.g. skills passport, learning outcomes)
Some light shadowing or observing care
🧠 Top tip: Take a notebook. Write down names, routines, door codes, and common abbreviations you come across.
🎒 What to Bring With You
Your student nurse essentials:
University ID and placement paperwork
Pen, notebook, and small diary or planner
Fob watch or digital watch (with seconds hand)
Comfortable shoes (you’ll be on your feet a lot!)
Packed lunch, snacks, and water
Pocket hand sanitiser
💬 Communication Is Key
Introduce yourself: “Hi, I’m Kimberley, the first-year student nurse.”
Ask questions - but be mindful of timing. Write questions down if staff are busy.
Say when you’re unsure. Supervisors expect you to be learning and not to know everything.
🗨️ It’s okay to say:
“I haven’t done this before, would you be able to show me?”
“Could I assist with this task so I can learn how it’s done?”
🤔 Feeling Nervous? Totally Normal.
First-day nerves are part of the process. Here’s how to manage them:
Arrive early – It helps reduce stress and gives a good first impression.
Focus on learning, not perfection – Your job is to observe, ask, and practise safely.
Reflect regularly – Use short journaling or models like Gibbs to process what you’ve experienced.
Seek feedback – Ask your supervisor what you’re doing well and how you can improve.
📚 Focus on the Basics
In early placements, you’ll often be involved in:
Taking observations
Helping with hygiene and mobility
Assisting with nutrition and hydration
Supporting communication with patients
Charting basic notes (under supervision)
Don’t underestimate the importance of these “basic” tasks - they are the foundation of safe, compassionate care.
🚨 Know What to Do If You’re Struggling
If things feel overwhelming:
Speak to your practice supervisor or practice assessor
Contact your link lecturer or university placement support team
Keep a record of concerns (dates, what happened, who you spoke to)
It’s okay to ask for help - there are systems in place to support you.
📈 Make the Most of Your Placement
Set learning goals for each week: e.g., “I want to learn how to use an obs machine” or “I want to write a patient handover.”
Reflect daily: even five minutes of “what went well / what I found hard” helps you grow.
Try new things: volunteering to assist (within your competence) builds confidence.
✅ Quick Placement Survival Checklist
✅Introduced yourself to the team
✅Located PPE and handwashing stations
✅Started your skills passport or proficiencies
✅Taken observations under supervision
✅Asked for feedback from your supervisor
✅Reflected on one patient interaction
✅Written down one learning goal for tomorrow
💬 Final Thoughts
You only get one first placement - and it’s okay if you don’t feel confident right away. Every nurse has been exactly where you are. The most important thing is to show up, stay curious, and be kind - to patients and yourself.
Remember: it’s called a placement because you’re learning, not because you’re expected to be perfect. You’ve got this!
📚 References
Nursing and Midwifery Council (2018). The Code.
Royal College of Nursing (2023). Student placement advice.
Levett-Jones, T. (2018). Clinical reasoning and reflective practice in nursing education.
