Reflective journal log.
27/01/2017: Today was the first day in placement officially, and I was put to volunteer on the
ITU ward. Because it was my first day, I was mainly being familiarised around the ward and
finding out what everybody’s roles are (e.g. ward clerk, nurse in charge – i.e. NIC). Some
knowledge I developed was how the NHS system works – how the NHS processes patients.
03/02/2017: Today I learned about certain abbreviations used in patient paperwork, for
example if a patient has died on the ward, a member of staff will put “RIP” next to their
name, as well as expectations of patients when they leave the ward such as 50/50 chance of
survival or expected to improve.
10/02/2017: Today I reorganised patient files as I felt comfortable in knowing the order it
should be in each file (e.g. date of birth, next of kin at the front of file). Completing this simple
task makes the job of the other members’ of staff (e.g. doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists)
easier as all paperwork they needed to access was organised, so therefore they didn’t waste
time rummaging through paperwork trying to find what they need.
17/02/2017: Because there was a new system put in place for the NHS not too long ago, the
systems are still updating everyday as new information is added. Today I had to fill out a
table on all patients that have been in the hospital and fill in their name, date of birth as well
as their NHS number so that when the staff came to input this data onto the electronic
system, it was easier and more straightforward for them.
24/02/2017: This week I continued to copy down patient details (name, date of birth and
NHS number) as this is a very long process and would take a while to complete.
03/03/2017: As there were no supervisors in today to let me know what needs doing, I
laminated some posters that were due to be put up throughout the hospital grounds
(fundraising posters) and also supported some service users’ by going to the shop for them.
10/03/2017: Today I reorganised patient files again as they quickly became messy. I also
then took a stationary request form to the office to receive stationary, and then filled up
stationary cupboard and reorganised it with labels etc.
17/03/2017: Today I wasn’t in the ITU ward I was on a general ward so was a lot easier for
me to communicate with service users’ and their families too. I had a general chat with
service users’ – especially the ones who never had visitors – and took time out to make sure
they could have a nice conversation with someone which doesn’t involve anything about why
they are currently hospitalised.
27/01/2017: Today was the first day in placement officially, and I was put to volunteer on the
ITU ward. Because it was my first day, I was mainly being familiarised around the ward and
finding out what everybody’s roles are (e.g. ward clerk, nurse in charge – i.e. NIC). Some
knowledge I developed was how the NHS system works – how the NHS processes patients.
03/02/2017: Today I learned about certain abbreviations used in patient paperwork, for
example if a patient has died on the ward, a member of staff will put “RIP” next to their
name, as well as expectations of patients when they leave the ward such as 50/50 chance of
survival or expected to improve.
10/02/2017: Today I reorganised patient files as I felt comfortable in knowing the order it
should be in each file (e.g. date of birth, next of kin at the front of file). Completing this simple
task makes the job of the other members’ of staff (e.g. doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists)
easier as all paperwork they needed to access was organised, so therefore they didn’t waste
time rummaging through paperwork trying to find what they need.
17/02/2017: Because there was a new system put in place for the NHS not too long ago, the
systems are still updating everyday as new information is added. Today I had to fill out a
table on all patients that have been in the hospital and fill in their name, date of birth as well
as their NHS number so that when the staff came to input this data onto the electronic
system, it was easier and more straightforward for them.
24/02/2017: This week I continued to copy down patient details (name, date of birth and
NHS number) as this is a very long process and would take a while to complete.
03/03/2017: As there were no supervisors in today to let me know what needs doing, I
laminated some posters that were due to be put up throughout the hospital grounds
(fundraising posters) and also supported some service users’ by going to the shop for them.
10/03/2017: Today I reorganised patient files again as they quickly became messy. I also
then took a stationary request form to the office to receive stationary, and then filled up
stationary cupboard and reorganised it with labels etc.
17/03/2017: Today I wasn’t in the ITU ward I was on a general ward so was a lot easier for
me to communicate with service users’ and their families too. I had a general chat with
service users’ – especially the ones who never had visitors – and took time out to make sure
they could have a nice conversation with someone which doesn’t involve anything about why
they are currently hospitalised.
