14/10/2010 - Arrival Of Journals, British Journal Of Midwifery

This morning I received six issues of midwifery journals (BJM) from 2010.  This will enable me to read in depth about current research in midwifery and prepare me for life as a midwife.  I have only had a quick look through and have read a couple of articles and have been really interested in the content.  One particular article January 2010 - 'A student midwife's experience in the 21st century' by Lisa McTavish was particularly interesting as I was able to read about the experiences of a student midwife and help me to understand what to expect if I am accepted onto a course.  I plan to read these and learn from them as best as I can.

13/10/2010 - St. John Ambulance, Second Meeting

I was very eager to get to my second meeting at St. John Ambulance.  My previous experience was very positive and left me hungry to learn more.  I was pleased to find my second meeting was just as packed and just as interesting.  Tonight we were learning about the unconscious casualty, both breathing and non breathing.  In groups we were led into situations and had to demonstrate to our best ability the correct way to approach the situation and how to deal with it.  This activity really meant I was thrown in the deep end.  The more senior members were being assessed for their skills, thankfully I wasn't being assessed as I am only new to their unit but it gave me the opportunity to refresh and draw upon previous skills learnt through my appointed persons qualification training and apply it to the situation I found myself in...TO BE CONTINUED...

12/10/2010 - Volunteering Interview

Yesterday I went for an Interview at Poole Hospital for Volunteering.  I was interviewed by Joy Janati.  She was a very welcoming lady and she was very easy to talk to.  I arrived not knowing what to expect but was relieved when I discovered it was just going to be an informal discussion.  We talked about what volunteering involves, both the pros and the con's, and went through paper work together.  Joy asked me about my future ambitions, to be a midwife, and asked me questions on what I thought my best qualities were.  I was told that it might be difficult to get a placement on their maternity unit right away and may have to work on other wards until I am needed.  Although observation experience in the maternity unit would be invaluable for me I did make it clear that I am able and willing to help out anywhere that I am needed, because at the end of the day, I am here to help out and I am happy to work where ever I am needed most rather than put somewhere I am not needed for the sake of my wants.

The paperwork for the CRB check will take around 4-6 weeks, therefore I will not be volunteering until then.  We discussed times and availability and she is going to hopefully fit me in on a Thursday morning and afternoon which I will do for at least six months.  I have come away from the interview more eager to start volunteering, I can not wait to start.

07/10/10 - Waitrose Induction

This evening I had my induction for Waitrose.  I was with one other person who I had met once while I was waiting to have my second interview.  Firstly we were both give our Waitrose uniform which we were to change into before we did anything else.  My uniform consists of a white shirt, a green tie, a knee length skirt, an apron and a hat (as I am going to be working on the counters).  Once dressed, together we were shown around the whole store.  Important things like fire doors and safety were pointed out.  There was a lot of information to take in.  We were able to ask questions and had them answered to us.  In our break we began talking to other partners, I met Carla, she works on the counters and will be the person who will train me.  We then had to complete our legal training which was fire safety and health and safety.  This was done on the computers and consisted of watching videos and answering questions.  Once you had answered all questions correctly you had then passed the training for this year.  Every year I will have to refresh this training.  This was only a small part of my training and will have to complete more at a later date.  We didn't finish until late but I arrived home full of enthusiasm.  I will be starting next week, Thursday 14 October, for my evening shift and from then every Saturday and Thursday.  I am excited to be starting something new.

06/10/10 - First St. John Meeting

This evening I participated in my first session at St. John Ambulance (the Christchurch Unit).  It is held at Christchurch fire station and is the adult group.

I arrived at the station unknowing what to expect from the evening.  I introduced myself to the rest of the group but I think it is going to take me a while to remember every ones names!!  I did get to know Emily, she is 28 and doing a foundation course so that she can become a paramedic, and Diana who has just joined the adults' St.John from Cadet level.

Firstly the group leader, Bill, discussed upcoming events that us, as volunteers, would be needed for.  As I have just joined I am unable to attend events occurring very soon and need to have shown a suitable level of first aid knowledge and skill before I can help.  The list of activities was varying and I can not  wait to become involved in helping out.

We then went on to training.  The topic of this session was minor and major cuts.  He talked through with us the ways to distinguish if someone has hurt themselves (by talking, looking and feeling) this also can also alert you to any dangers and by looking at how wide, deep and how much blood (and the flow of blood) to see whether it is a major or minor cut. He said the most important thing, other than bleeding, is infection; use gloves to prevent you getting infected and to prevent your bacteria infecting the patient. One way to clean a wound is by using water, never use antiseptic wipes. He showed us how to dress a wound using medicated bandages.

Then in pairs, I was with Diana, we practiced how we would apply a bandage to someone with an injured arm.  I practiced as if it was a real incident and treated Diana as if she was a real patient.  I talked to her, asked how it had happened, and asked her if she had any other pain.  The only problem was her arm and I asked her to apply pressure to her arm and keep it raised until I had appropriate kit.  I got out the small bandage, suitable for holding half a pint of blood, and placed the pad over the bleed and asked if the patient could re-apply the pressure over the pad.  I then used the long roll of the bandage and sealed off both ends by having a 2cm overlap onto the skin.  I asked the patient to remove the pressure as I bandaged over the top of the wound.  Once it was suitably covered I tied both ends of the bandage together on the top of the wound using a reef knot. When using a bandage circulation may be restricted so it is important to check immediately after applying the bandage and then every 10 minutes after.  Do this by squeezing the nail or pinching the skin after the wound to check the skin turns from pink to white back to pink again.  Also by listening to the patient you can get an idea if the circulation is poor, e.g.my finger tingle.  I completed this task well and was eager for the next.

We then looked at cuts with foreign bodies.  As an example on person wore a pretend wound with a glass shard protruding out of the wound. I practiced on one of the male group organisers, he was helpful because as I was doing it he gave me invaluable tips on how to improve.  I started by reassuring the patient and asking the patient to pinch the wound either side of the glass to try to stem the bleeding.  Then using a small bandage, creating a bridge place it over the foreign body and I asked to patient to re-pinch over the bandage. I can then either put the dangling bandage ends on the patients lap or in their hand, this prevents it falling onto the floor, getting dirty and spreading infection.  Then using two other bandages, still rolled, place one either side of the object.  This keeps the object in place and creates pressure without pushing the object further into the skin.  Using the long bandage seal off both ends of the wound, making sure you do not go on top of the wound, pushing the object further into the skin. I made sure that I tied it tight enough as having it too lose would make the care useless as it wouldn't be helping the bleed. I was instructed to tie the bandage off, in a reef knot again, this time underneath or on the side of the wound, never on the top. Again, once complete, check circulation every 10 minutes. He was very happy with my attempt.

The final thing we covered was using a sling.  Bill talked about how to use every day items such as jumpers and scarves to make slings if a real one isn't available and also went through how to use a real one.  I practiced on Emily.  Using a triangle pad I opened it up and held the long end head to toe, the corner of the triangle at the patients wounded arm.  This is the correct start point.  Tucking the top end of the bandage under the fingers and moving down the arm tucking part of the bandage under to create a tunnel for the arm to sit in.  when I reached the elbow I twisted the end to tighten and re-enforce the tunnel.  I then pulled the remaining sling around her back, under her shoulder blades for best support, and tie the sling (making sure it is secure enough) on the shoulder in a reef knot. The circulation test is also important with this.

I have learnt a lot from this evenings meeting and I am very excited for next time.  I have some forms to fill in and have a compulsory CRB check, but once that is completed I will officially be a St.John Ambulance Volunteer.

04/10/10 - UCAS Application Sent!

I have just sent off my UCAS application in hope to study Midwifery at University.  Midwifery is something that I am very passionate about so I really hope that I get accepted onto a course.  All I can do now is wait in hope that I get an interview and prepare as best I can for them.

01/10/10 - St. Johns Ambulance involvment

Having received information from my local centre (Christchurch) I have contacted Sarah Bagshaw to confirm my attendance.  I will start my volunteering work by attending weekly Wednesday meetings where I will be learning first aid and how to my new found skills to good use.  Soon I shall be helping out at events and I can not wait!

01/10/10 - Volunteering Interview Arranged

Having spoken directly with Joy Janati at Poole Hospital I now have an interview arranged for the 12 October 2010.  I am looking forward to the interview and very much hope to be successful.