5 Mistakes to Avoid on Placement
What nurses wish student nurses knew before their placement
5 min read • Placement • Updated June 2026
Here’s the truth: every student nurse makes mistakes on placement. Most are completely normal — and avoidable once you know what to look out for.
1 - Pretending You Understand Everything
A lot of students stay quiet because they’re worried about looking inexperienced.
But safe nurses ask questions.
Your facilitators and buddy nurses would much rather explain something than have you guess and make an unsafe mistake.
2 - Waiting Too Long to Ask for Help
If you’re confused, falling behind, or struggling emotionally, speak up early. Placement becomes much harder when you try to silently push through everything alone.
3- Forgetting Basic Self-Care
Many students survive placement on caffeine, stress, and very little sleep. Drinking water, eating properly, and sitting down when you can genuinely makes a difference to how well you cope during long shifts.
4 - Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else
There will always seem to be students who seem to be more confident or experienced. That doesn’t mean you’re doing badly (and sometimes people talk more confidently than they feel).
Learning and developing confidence takes time. Most students feel overwhelmed at some point — even the ones who look calm on the outside.
5 - Taking Feedback Too Personally
Feedback can sting, especially when you’re exhausted and trying your best. But being corrected doesn’t mean you’re failing - it means someone believes you can do it better. Take a breath, try not to take it personally, and use the opportunity to improve.
Remember…
Nobody walks into placement already knowing everything.
The students who grow the most are usually the ones who ask questions, stay open to feedback, and keep showing up — even on the hard days.