Initial Entry - Cardio at Armadale

Initial Entry
I will be completing my final prac at Armadale Hospital. I was sent some information from the facility so I have based my expectations on that, as well as information other students have given me.

I have the following expectations:
• I know I will be on the wards but am not sure if it will be a general medical ward or a post-surgical ward. I am hoping I get to spend time on both.
• I can expect to observe for the first couple of days before doing an assessment and treatment myself.
• By the end of the placement I expect to have my own caseload of patients and be working fairly independently.
• At some stage I will have to give a presentation to the physio department.
• As a student I believe my role will initially be to observe, before jumping in to get as much hands-on practical experience as possible. I believe it will be expected of my to revise my theoretical knowledge each night and the brush up on anything I am not sure about (such as assessment or treatment techniques.)
• I expect I will be asked to begin with a subjective assessment of a patient and then discuss the case with my supervisor before doing any treatment.
• Discharge planning will be an important element of my treatment, as it is at any hospital.

While I am looking forward to this placement I do have a few concerns:
• I am worried that my supervisor might treat me like I have already completed a 5 week cardio placement (whereas I only did one week) and she might have high expectations in week 1.
• I am worried about managing the case load – I am hoping I get eased into it.