Keep learning

At the time of writing, there is a new cohort of BSc students out on their second-year placement. This gets me thinking back to all the practice educators that influenced my practice and all the hints and tips they passed on to me—like some of the Christmas family traditions that a lot of us keep. I can vividly remember my first-ever day as a student on placement, and some of the advice my mentor gave me. As students, we were taught to take on board as much advice as we could and use this to shape our own practice. Now, as a practice educator myself, I try and pass on some of my wisdom to others.

As a student, it can be difficult to decipher the advice passed on; differentiating years of experience from current best practice. Moving into my NQP year, this became somewhat easier as I grew in my confidence and became comfortable with my knowledge. I could articulate clearly why I wanted to do things the way I did. Some of this was a result of the hints and tips I was taught by previous mentors—but much was informed by best practice, with a clear and current evidence base.