Positively dyslexic nursing

This blog reflects on my being shortlisted for and attending the Student Nursing Times Award 2019 the category I was shortlisted for was for was Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs. Nomination process I first was told that I had been chosen to be nominated for the award by Alison Geeson she had sent me an email asking me to pop in to see her. I must say at first, I did think oh no what’s up? I was taken back and extremely proud just to be nominated and felt immensely proud. For my nomination, Alison had put together a portfolio of my achievements and letters from other staff to support and validate my nomination. The day Alison contacted me to advise I had been shortlisted for the award I can only describe as a Terrific Thursday; earlier that day I had a interview for a band 5 role on the ward I wanted to work at Bloxwich Hospital, Linden ward and had been notified I had been successful. I was feeling on top of the moon, as I was collecting my bag to make my way home...

Tuesday the 12th was D-day, my interview for my Student Nursing Times Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Affairs took place. I was up bright and early at 4.30am so I could catch the 6am train from Walsall to Birmingham New Street as I was meeting Alison Geeson the Head of Mental Health Nursing at the University of Wolverhampton. It was Alison who nominated me for the award; it was only right that she walk this path with me, so we made the journey to London together. Alison has been so supportive and encouraging of my endeavours whilst at the University. Including my poetry and establishing Positively Dyslexic Nursing, along with the brilliant Donna Harding (Graduate Teaching Assistant for Nursing at the University) who is my right arm in setting up the dyslexic support group and blog.   We arrived at Euston just after 9.00am, had coffee then made our way to the tube station. I got into a bit of a muddle thinking I’d lost my tube ticket so bought a replacement a...

Hip hip hooray!!!! Last Thursday my name was officially announced as being shortlisted for the Student Nursing times Award for Outstanding Contribution To Student Affairs. Wow what a feeling to see my name out there with so many other worthy and inspired students. So proud to run with Wolverhampton University Pack I think it says a great deal about the University that we have had three students shortlisted, myself, Ian Unit and Rachel Ashworth please follow the link for more information. Nursing Times Awards announcement In other news, I feel immense pride that the poem I wrote and recited for Nurses’ day has been transformed by the Wolverhampton University Art Department and now hangs on one of the walls of the Nursing floor along with art work depicting Nurses such as Florence Nightingale. To top it off, I now have the honour of being able to say it will be shared within the RCN’s online poetry collection which is being released in celebration of World Poetry Day on Marc...

So, a few weeks ago I was introduced to my hub placement for my final year. Last year my hub was in Psychological Therapy, which I loved. But this year I am on the ward which I had previously worked as HCA on. I was still a little nervy as I had not had much ward experience in my 2 nd year.  On my first day I got to meet my associate mentor, admitted my first patient on to the ward and did some of the usual things like helping deliver medication. Whilst filling in the admission paperwork, I noticed I made some spelling mistakes probably due to me feeling slightly anxious. I ensured I added these words to my trusty notebook. I always carry a small notebook on placement so that when I recognise an issue or mistake regarding my spelling, I note it down so that I can refer to it again if need be. I also, add in words that I hear which may be useful whilst writing my notes or reports.   The first week went well, I enjoyed my time there and I am looking forward to m...

Hi there, my Name is Andy Rogers (Andrew when I’m in trouble!) and I am a third-year Mental Health Nursing student. This is my first attempt at writing a blog, which will offer an insight into my journey into nursing and how I’ve overcome the hurdles that having dyslexia can bring. My aim is to offer support to other student nurses; hopefully this will become a place where we can share our experience, offering support and advice to each other regarding experiences and strategies we can employ to overcome the hurdles that studying entails.  Brief history of me and my dyslexia My nursing adventure began 7 years ago when the family business, a greengrocer’s, florist and plant sellers, that I and my father owned, was forced into bankruptcy due to a struggling financial climate.   I lost everything, was unemployed for six months and for a while, I thought I was a failure. Phil, an amazing young man who occasionally worked for me, had learning disabilities and it was he w...