Frequently asked questions about Practice Placements for student nurses

There will be some opportunities during the programme for you to choose a placement speciality where reasonably possible. There will be a requirement for you to experience a range of practice placement opportunities including ward based, rural and community, care homes, and third sector placements, to allow you to meet your learning needs.

We aim to provide your placements to you at the beginning of the academic year, although these may change in exceptional circumstances.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements are that 50% of your training will be undertaken in theory and 50% in practice placements

Travel expenses will only be paid if your placement distance exceeds your home to University distance, and you can then claim the additional distance.

You will be expected to work a range of shift patterns reflecting 24-hour nursing care, and these could be short shifts or long days (12 hour shifts) to reflect the practice placement shift patterns. Students are expected to work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week whilst on placement. Any mitigating circumstances should be discussed with the practice placement area, personal tutor and scheme coordinator.

If you become unwell whilst in placement or are unable to attend your practice placement due to adverse weather, you would be expected to inform the placement area as soon as possible prior to your shift commencing, and you would also need to inform the University, copying in your personal tutor, to inform them of your absence and the reason, as hours worked will need to be documented to ensure all student nurses achieve the minimum practice hours set out by the Nursing & Midwifery Council prior to registration. You may have to work back time at the end of the academic year to fulfil this requirement.

Practice placements will vary from 4 weeks to 6 weeks, with your final management placement for Part 3 (Third year) being slightly longer.

Student nurses will have the opportunity to attend three practice placements within an academic year, alternating with theoretical modules.

Practice placements would only be changed in exceptional circumstances, and assessed on an individual basis. Students would need to raise this with the Programme Coordinator in the first instance. Any concerns or difficulties in practice placements can be raised with your practice assessor, personal tutor, link lecturer or Education Liaison Nurse/ Practice Education Facilitator. You will be supported at all times.

There will be an expectation and requirement to travel to attend your practice placements as Aberystwyth University works collaboratively with its practice partners, including Hywel Dda University Health Board, Powys University Health Board and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health board.

There may be instances where you will be placed a distance away from your base, and in these circumstances we would offer you the opportunity for the University to arrange additional accommodation for you whilst attending your placement. This would be assessed on an individual basis by the Programme team.

The University will take into consideration any mitigating circumstances on an individual basis and offer accommodation in areas if needed. Any concerns can be discussed with your personal tutor and Scheme coordinator

You will be supported in your practice placement by a Practice Assessor and Practice Supervisors who are registered and experienced practitioners. You can raise your concerns with them, or alternatively there is a link lecturer allocated to every area, as well as your personal tutor.