What's next: Orthopaedic Rehab and the RCN in London

Placement release day is always a mix of excitement and nerves. This one was mostly excitement.

PLE 7: Orthopaedic Rehab

For my seventh practice learning experience (PLE 7), I'll be joining an Orthopaedic Rehab team.

As a third-year student, this placement feels different. It is a chance to build my confidence, take on more responsibility and keep growing into the nurse I want to be. My goals are:

• Managing a small group of patients from handover to handover, with my practice supervisor overseeing rather than leading.
• Prioritising and escalating confidently, using structured tools such as SBAR so my concerns are heard and acted on.
• Supporting junior students where I can, putting my practice-supervisor preparation into action.

Thank you in advance to the staff and practice assessors who give so much time to supporting students.

RCN Student Ambassador Conference 2026

As an RCN Student Ambassador, on Wednesday 18 November I'll be at the RCN Student Ambassador Conference 2026 at RCN headquarters in London. The theme is Breaking Boundaries: the power of the student voice.

Student nurses have a real part to play in shaping the care we give and the profession we're joining. I'm especially looking forward to:

• Dr Theresa Porrett on finding your voice and leading change
• a Q&A panel with past student ambassadors on what the role taught them
• workshops on putting the ambassador role into practice, and the legacy we leave behind
• Rumer Gray on how student nurses can engage with the independent sector

I'm also looking forward to meeting fellow student ambassadors from across the UK. I want to hear how things are done in other universities and trusts and bring good ideas back to Wales.