Mini reflection: my first few days working in a healthcare environment during this time, and as 1st year student - a thread:

1) I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to start a job during this time that gives me the chance to contribute to the care of patients! But I’ve found it really quite tough mentally!

2) I’ve found myself worrying/overthinking a LOT which has been really quite a struggle to deal with! Being immersed into a healthcare environment really made the reality of the situation hit much harder than I anticipated!

3) I’ve felt starting this role at this time as only a first year with little clinical experience in comparison to others has been a huge learning curve & really overwhelming at times! But glad to have the opportunity to gain this experience (in the least selfish way possible!)https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👩‍⚕️" title="Woman health worker" aria-label="Emoji: Woman health worker">

4) It’s been a huge help to be able to talk through concerns/anxieties with family, friends, tutors and other people I know who are also working in healthcare! This has been a huge support in helping me deal with how I’m feelinghttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Flexed biceps (light skin tone)" aria-label="Emoji: Flexed biceps (light skin tone)">

5) Despite feeling some negative emotions, a real positive has been seeing the impact even the simplest smile or little conversation can bring to a patient to make their day a bit brighter and less lonely! I’m glad I could play a part in this this week!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😊" title="Smiling face with smiling eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with smiling eyes">

6) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😃" title="Smiling face with open mouth" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with open mouth">highlight: Whilst making a patient’s bed one day, they started doing their physio exercises totally independently, and then went on to tell me how much it was helping them - being a Physio student, this made my day! Kind of thing we love to hear even if we weren’t involved!

7) https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="☹️" title="Frowning face" aria-label="Emoji: Frowning face">high(low)light: I assisted a patient during their meal time and they said they keep expecting their relative to walk by their window and wave to them since they can’t have visitorshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🥺" title="Pleading face" aria-label="Emoji: Pleading face">broke my hearthttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💔" title="Broken heart" aria-label="Emoji: Broken heart">how I wish I could make this possible for themhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😢" title="Crying face" aria-label="Emoji: Crying face">

8) Really reinforced how important frequent hand washing is, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever washed my hands so many times in a matter of hours - my skin is showing the impact and I can’t stop applying hand cream!!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😅" title="Smiling face with open mouth and cold sweat" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with open mouth and cold sweat">

9) continuing my uni studies at the same time is helping to maintain balance and stop my mind from wandering too far into the worry zone any further! As well as of course developing my knowledge and understanding to benefit and prepare me more for the future!

10) huge admiration for all healthcare staff going into work tirelessly & selflessly to give patients the best care possible! I’ve personally found it a huge challenge to step into at this time, even at just the role I’ve undertaken but glad I’ve tried - passionate about helping!