Advice for Placements

• Use your eMORA reflective journal and write in it after each shift, it helps to reflect on the day and remember what has happened as well as new things that you have done and learnt.

• Bring a big bottle of water for placement- it helps to tackle tiredness and headaches on those long 13-hour shifts.

• Always have a spare pair of black socks or tights on hand just in case any bodily fluids run into your shoes!

• Bring plenty of snacks to keep refuelled.

• If you’ve got a busy shift on the ward, always make sure you ask for your break. Your Practice Supervisor is really busy and will sometimes forget to send you for one, but you are entitled to a break so make sure you have one.

• Put odour eaters into your shoes because they will stink.

• Don’t turn down the opportunity to practice your skills even if you have been shown 10 times before.

• Say hello and smile- it goes a long way!

• Never be afraid to say if you don’t understand something, the staff are always happy to help and would rather you say instead of struggle.

• Always set aside time to fill out your eMORA on pebblepad or pebblepocket with your practice supervisor

• Your eMORA is really important- ensure you make time for it. It is your responsibility to set aside time with your Practice Supervisor to discuss your progress and complete the document. Don’t leave it until the last minute as it can be very stressful with everything else you have going on.

• Have a look through your eMORA to see what needs to be signed off and if you have achieved a proficiency after you’ve finished your shift.

• If you are not happy on placement with something, make sure you speak up! Everybody wants you to enjoy your placements so tell your Academic Advisor, Link Lecturer or your learning environment manager.

• You can apply for a travel master smart card online, with the travel master you can get on any trams, trains or buses within South Yorkshire which is really helpful as a student.

• Ask your Practice Supervisor depending on the situation what she would like you to do on your placement because each midwife is different.

Community placement

• • You can ring your community midwives’ number 1-2 weeks before placement starts. If their phone is off it means they are off duty just try again another day, the best time to call is at the start of their working day around 9am.

  • Shift patterns on community tend to be 9am until 5pm but can finish earlier or later depending on that specific days’ workload.

  • If you don’t get time for a proper dinner break, document it in your hours!

  • Buy a good coat and shoes for community placement in the winter. 

Placement shoes