Today  been the third day of our study week, we are getting to know each other more better. we had reflection on the topic ‘HOW DID I GET HERE’,  It was done individually in class, we all shared our experiences.
We looked at SWOT analysis  SMART objectives, that the acronym for SWOT is Strengths Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
I learnt about the internal strength, which are the skills we have that others do not have. the positive praises received, the achievement we are proud of and the value we hold. These are all internal strengths.
The internal weaknesses,  which can be shy, lack of knowledge, inability to retain, lack of confidence, inability of time management.
The external opportunities, are what services that the college could help us with? what people could be of aid to us? what new skills can we learn?
The external threats,  talks about the weakness that is open to us. the obstacles that we likely to face when learning and the distraction we may face in our personal lives.

we raised concerns  of our hopes and fears of the Nursing Associates programme, hopefully we will all achieve our goals.

We looked at SMART, which means Specific =   That is goals that are clear and unambiguous.  Goals that outline exactly what to be accomplished and by whom.
Measurable =  To measure the progress towards attainment/ accomplishment of your goals.  If not measurable, how will you know you are making progress?
Achievable = Goals should be achievable but still stretching enough for individuals.
Realistic =  Needs to be delivered with availability of recourses , knowledge and time . Timely = Needs time frame. Committed to deadline.

We further introduction to Respiration. We were in a ward setting, looking at the professional way of supporting a patient. we were also divided into groups of three, going through the procedure of taking/ checking the respiration of a patient in a professional  manner.

KSBs ADDRESSED
K1 : Understand the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates (NMC, 2018) and how to fulfil all registration requirements.
K3:  Understand the  professional responsibility to adapt a health lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet people’s needs for mental and physical care.
K4: Understand the  principles of research  and how research  findings are used to inform evidence -bases practice.
S2:  Keep complete, clear, accurate  and timely records.
S4 : Take responsibility for continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills.
S5: Safely demonstrate evidence-based practice in all skills and procedures required for entry to the registers: Standards of proficiency for nursing associates  Annex A & B(NMC 2018).
S7: Communicate effectively using a range of skills and strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of mental, physical, cognitive and minimal risks to health.
S8: Recognise signs of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the action required to minimise risk to health.
S9: Develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationship with people, their  families, carers and colleagues.
S11: Report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in  poor care outcomes..

Today been the 5th and final day of the study day, I was feeling confident, happy and so on.
We had reflection on the previous day’s work as usual in the morning. Having reflected on the week’s work, we were introduced to Numeracy.
I was nervous,  knowing well that Maths is not my thing, I immediately measured it out that I have problems with my maths. I was reassured.
We discussed the importance of maths  in the nursing field (health). That maths/numbers are used:
During drugs administration.( Tabs, IV, Syrup injections etc)
Measurement and accurately recording results.
Reading numerical information (blood pressure).
Writing report ( formal & informal)
Interpreting information given to you by patients.
For drugs calculations

We looked at the basic requirement of measurement,
by adding up -Input and output, by subtracting – you work out the balance,
by multiplying you work out how much to give and
by dividing the rate to give within a period of time.

We looked at conversion from microgram to milligram, to grams, to kilogram etc
Example: 1kilogram =1000grams
1gram  = 1000milligrams
1milligram = 1000micrograms.
We further on went to Stress Management and well being and we ended up with a meditation, which was quite helpful to end the preparation for study week.

KSBs  ADDRESSED.
K1: Understand the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates, (NMC, 2028) and how to  fulfil all registration requirements.

K3: Understand the professional responsibility to adapt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet peoples needs for mental and physical care.

S2: Keep complete,  clear, accurate and timely records.

S8: Recognise sign of vulnerability in self or colleagues and the action required to minimise risk to health.

S11: Report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.

K9: Understand the aims and principles of health promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health when engaging with people.

K27: Understand the principles of safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines in accordance with local and national policies.

K28: Understand the effects of medicines, allergies, drugs sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions.

K29: Understand the different ways by which  medicines can be prescribed.

Today, been the 4th day of our preparation study day,
I can sense the relief of knowing each other as we see ourselves everyday,  we spend time studying, doing group and class work together. We had an overview of the course, that it is a foundation Degree in Science for Nursing Associates Apprenticeship.  That at the end of the course, we are expected to provide care  across the lifespan, to make decision on what to and  not to do.

I learnt about the requirement for both university requirement which is Maths, English and Care certificate and the Apprenticeship requirements which is the evidence of learning logs, KSBs and the End-point Assessment.

We further went to the introduction to A & P: Systems, Cells & Homeostasis.
At the introduction, I learnt about the Anatomical position,(standing upright, forward facing, to name but a few), and the reason to know your left from your right.

The positional terms ( superior, inferior, anterior/ventral, posterior/dorsal, medial, lateral, proximal, Distal to name but a few).

We looked at the body cavities and the regions.
The dorsal body cavity is the Cranial cavity(the brain) and the vertebral body cavity (spinal cord).
The ventral is the thoracic cavity (heart and lungs), abdominal cavity (digestive system) and pelvic cavity ( bladder, reproductive organ & rectum)

I also learnt about the Abdominal region which is right and left hypochondriac region, right and left lumbar region, right and left iliac region. The Epigastric region, Umbilical region and the Hypogastric region.

KSBs ADDRESSED

K1: Understand the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates( NMC, 2018) and how to fulfil all registration requirements.

K2: Understand the demand of professional practice and demonstrates how to recognise signs of vulnerability in themselves or their colleagues and the action required to minimise the risk to health.

K3:Understand the professional responsibility to adapt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet peoples needs for mental and physical care.

K4: Understand the principles of research and how research findings are used to inform evidence-based practice.

S1: Act according to the Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates NMC, 2018) and fulfil all registration requirements.

S2: Keep complete, clear, accurate and timely records.

S3: Recognise and report any that may adversely impact safe and effective care provision.

S4: Take responsibility for continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to support and feedback to develop professional knowledge and skills.

S5: Safely demonstrates evidence-based practice in all skills and procedures required for entry to the registers: Standards of proficiency for nursing associates Annex A & B(NMC, 2018).

K9: Understand the aims and principles of health  promotion, protection and improvement and the prevention of ill health  when engaging with people.

k10: Understand the principles of epidemiology, demography, and genomics and how these influence health and well-being outcomes.

Its a start of another teaching week. We had reflection on the past week’s work.
We reflected on the module outline, that :
Learning outcomes – Activities( designing to achieve) – Assessment (evaluate to see weather you have achieve).

We looked at Developing Professional Values and Behaviour
I learnt about the values of life, which are Care, Commitment, Kindness, Communication, Honesty, Respect to name but a few.

I learnt about the values that they are the beliefs and views that people hold about what is right or wrong. They apply to all aspects of life and influence how a people behaves in different situations.

We looked at what is important  to us an individual, they are Appreciation, Health, Trust, Financial stability, Care, Humility, Love, Family values, Faith, Mental health to name but a few.
We also consider the values of teh service users, we looked at Commitment, Communication.
We looked at the purpose of the NMC Code- That this code is to:
Protects the public,
Protects the professional,
Considers fitness to Practice,
Set and adhere to the standards in the Code,
Revalidates Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates.
And who the Code is useful for.( everybody).
I learnt that, we should prioritise people by making their care and safety my main concern and make sure that their dignity is preserved, and and their needs are recognised, assessed and responded to.
And also make sure that those receiving care are treated with respect, that their rights are upheld and that any discriminatory attitudes and behaviours towards those receiving care are challenged.
We should preserve safety by :
Duty of Candour(honesty)
Raising concerns,
Identifying risks and limitations to practice.

We further went on to acting professionally out of work, and the fitness to practice for students, which are :
Cheating or plagiarism,
Un professional behaviour,
Dishonesty,
Health concerns, and
Criminal convictions or cautions.

KSBs  ADDRESSED.

K1 : Understand the Code:  Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates( NMC,2018)and how to fulfil all registration requirements.

K3 : Understand the professional  responsibility to adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain the level of personal fitness and well-being required to meet people’s needs for mental and physical care.

S1 : Act in accordance with the Code: Professional Standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates ( NMC,2018) and how to fulfil all registration requirement.

S3: Recognise and report any factors that may adversely impact safe and effective care provision.

K7: Understand the importance of courage and transparency and apply the duty of Candour.

K8 : Understand how discriminatory behaviour is exhibited.

S25 : Meet people’s needs for safety, dignity, privacy, comfort and sleep..

B1 : Treat people with dignity, respecting individual’s diversity, beliefs, culture, needs, values, privacy and preferences.

B2 :  Show respect and empathy for those you work with, have the courage to challenge areas of concern and work to evidence based best practice.

DAY 2 OF TEACHING.

Its another day/week of teaching. We had reflection on the past week’s work, and it was quiet good and I am sure everyone was pleased so far.

We moved on to the Introduction  to Academic Writing at level 4. We briefly looked at Bloom’s Taxonomy, which are hierarchical models used for classifying educational learning objectives in to levels of complexity and specification.

Bloom’s hierarchical models is to:

Create, by means of combining to make whole, that is by designing, constructing, developing and formulating.

Evaluate, which is to justify a stand/ decision in order for you to know how best things are done ,that is by arguing, defending, judging, and supporting.

Analyse, the way you analyse the more you create, that is  by differentiating, relating, compering examining experimenting and testing.

 Apply by implementing, solving, using and interpreting.

 Understand by classifying, discussing identifying recognising and reporting.

Remember,  is when recalling fact and concept, memorising , repeat, list and duplicate.

I learnt  that in doing academic writing, I should always use the third person and the introductory paragraph should always include or state  the purpose of the writing , that is  presenting the evidence. In doing this the examiner or the audience will gain more interest in reading your work or the article. writing in my own words demonstrate my understanding.

We looked at Respiratory System, the aims and learning outcomes.

The primary function is to provide our bodies with oxygen ( energy) and take away Carbon Dioxide (waste product).

Inspiration and expiration is the process known as gaseous exchange.

We have the Thoracic Cavity, that entails the thoracic vertebrae, the Upper( the Nasal cavity, Pharynx and the Larynx). The upper respiratory tract, transport air from the atmosphere into the body. Its purpose is to warm, filter and humidify inhaled air. Its structures or organs sit outside of the thoracic cavity, and the Lower Respiratory Tract (Trachea, Primary bronchi and the lungs), is within the thoracic cavity, the filtering and cleaning continues. Air is transported to the exact site of gas exchange. Its structures split into a network of intricate passages( Bronchi, bronchioles) to optimise gas exchange.

                                             KSBs  ADDRESSED.

K22 : Know how to meet people’s needs related to nutrition, hydration and bladder and bowel health.

WEEK 4 OF TEACHING       TNA   7.5hrs.

Another week of teaching. We had reflection on the past week’s woke. It was good and I am sure everyone was refreshed and ready for the day’s work.

We were informed about the Tri-partite form, and a meeting with our line managers or mentors in our different work places. The last five pages of the form should be printed, filled, scan and email to our Academic guardian after the meeting.

We looked at the structure and function of blood.

Blood is responsible for transporting gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), waste products, nutrients, and also helps in removing toxins from the body to the liver and contributes in the maintenance of core body temperature.

The composition of blood, it is made up of cellular material in a fluid called Plasma, and it is a circulating tissues consisting of three types of cells that is the Red blood cells (Erythrocytes), White blood cells ( Leukocytes), and platelets( Thrombocytes).

The formation of blood, hematopoiesis is the formation and development of blood cells and they are all formed in the  hematopoietic stem cell.

We further looked at Anaemia as a red blood cell disorder or disease, its types ( iron deficiency anaemia, aplastic anaemia ,sickle cell anaemia to name but a few) symptoms  and the  treatment for anaemia.

we looked at the White blood cells, there are five different types of White blood cells which are split into two categories.

The  Granulocytes( multi-lobed nucleus and granules in the cytoplasm)and the Agranulocytes( large nucleus no granules). The granulocytes consist of the following:

1.The Neutrophils,

2.The Eosinophils, and

3The Basophils.

The Agranulocytes consist of the following:

1. Lymphocytes.

2. Monocytes.

We looked at Blood Group, that there are four major groups:

Group A: has only A antigens on the red blood cell, and B antibody in the plasma.

Group B: has only B antigens on the red blood cell, and A antibody in the plasma.

Group AB: has both A & B antigens on the red blood cells but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma.

Group O: has neither A nor B antigens on the red blood cells, but both A & B antibody are in the plasma.

We also looked at the Cardiovascular System, its aim and learning outcomes. I learnt that, the cardiovascular system has three components ( the Pump, the Fluid and the Tubes).

The cardiovascular system supply oxygen to the tissues, and transport carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

Its also transport nutrients to the tissues of the body , and remove waste products for excretion from the body by the kidneys and liver.

Dissipation of the heart to maintain normal body temperature and to help maintain homeostasis. Its consist of the Heart (cardio), blood vessels (vascular) arteries, veins, capillaries.

I learnt that the Cardio-Pulmonary Atrium is the Right Atrium-Alveoli, that receives the blood from the body on the right atrium to the Right Ventricle and to the Pulmonary Artery.

The Pulmonary vein carries de-oxygenated blood to the heart. From the left artery to the Mitral Valve (Bicuspid), to the Aortic valve to the Aorta.

The opening and closing of the Bicuspid and Tricuspid valve makes the Lub-Dup sound ( Heart sound).

In summary the right side receives the blood back from the systemic circulation, delivers the blood to the lungs for gaseous exchange, and in the lungs the blood collects oxygen (O2) and releases carbon dioxide (CO2) to be exhaled. The left side receives the blood back from the lungs, which is now fully oxygenated, delivers to systemic circulation to supply all the organs with oxygen rich blood.

I also learnt that, the normal heart rate (resting) varies with age.

For new born – 6months 90 – 160.

6 – 12months 80 – 140

one – 3 years 80 – 120

3 – 9 years 70 – 115

9 – 14 years 65 – 105 and

adult 60 – 100.

The function of the vascular system ensure delivery of blood to all tissues to match tissues demands.

To be flexible and adaptable so that blood flow can meet metabolic needs of tissues/body as a whole.

To convert a pulsatile blood flow in arteries into a steady flow in the capillaries where transfer of substances occurs.

 To return blood to the heart.

I learnt that blood pressure is the pressure the blood exert against the walls of arterial blood vessels, this force ensures blood to circulate continuously. And that the circulatory system is a close system so the total flow leaving and returning to the heart will be the same.

Normal blood pressure replies upon 3 key factors:

Cardiac output( the pump)

Peripheral resistance( the tube)

Blood volume ( the fluid).

 The systolic pressure is due to the contraction of the left ventricle forcing blood into the arteries. For adult  110 – 140 mm Hg.

1 year 80 mm Hg

5years 90

10 years 97

15 years 109.

The diastolic pressure the lower pressure which occurs when the ventricular muscle relaxes, allowing the left ventricle to refill ready for the next beat. This is usually reported  as systolic/diastolic, for eg 120/80.

                                                         KSBs ADDRESSED

K14: Understanding the importance of health screening.

K16: Understand body systems and homeostasis, human anatomy and physiology, biology, genomics, pharmacology, social and behavioural sciences as applied to delivery of care.

                                    AFTERNOON SESSION

We looked at Infection Control and use of PPE.

The learning outcomes and its importance. I learnt that there are good bacteria, and we can be find them everywhere. Bacteria can be transmitted by touching, airborne to name bit a few. The elderly, vulnerable are in high risk of viral infection.

We looked at the types of infection, Bacteria( staphylococcus,  pseudomonas)

Virus (norovirus, rotavirus)

Fungus ( candida, aspergillosis).

I learnt about the Health care- Associated infection(HCAI) that it is estimated that 300,000 patients  a year in England acquire a healthcare-associated infection as a result of care within the NHS.  As we are protecting ourselves, we protect the patients also, by protecting the skin, eyes, and clothing. we looked at the different examples of PPE and the Legislative underpinning of PPE.

PPE at work regulation.

Control of substances of Hazardous to Health Regulations (2002)

Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

We went to a ward setting, where we had a session of the correct way of putting on the PPE and to safely doff  (remove) them to avoid contamination.

We also had a session on the correct moving and handling techniques, ( repositioning and transferring the patient with a pat slide and a sliding sheets), assisting patient with walking from a sitting down position. And on giving personal hygiene to a patients, ( facial wash, bed bath) checking and assessing the patient in the process. In all what you do to the patient, you communicate with the patient in gaining consent.

                                                    KSBs ADDRESSED.

S17:  Protect health through understanding and applying the principles of infection prevention and control, including communicable disease surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship and resistance.

K23:  Know how to meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity.

S27: Meet people’s needs related to mobility, hygiene, oral care, wound care and skin integrity.