Nursing 101: My first day as a Nursing student
First year student, Ibitola provides an inside look into what her very first day as a Nursing student at the University of Birmingham really looked like!
Entry barriers to the Birmingham Medical School
Hello, my name is Ibitola, and I wanted to tell you about my experiences on my very first day as a University of Birmingham Nursing student.
Let’s start at how it all started becoming real; leaving my accommodation, walking to the bus stop packed with overwhelmed faces, walking through the Medical School barriers and entering the lecture room full of the future of nursing and midwifery. It felt like a dream. I realized I had made it, I was in university on my first day as a student nurse! After all the UCAS buzz, back-to-back interviews, applying for accommodation and preparations, I felt a mix of excitement and nerves. Part of me felt proud just to be there, while another part quietly questioned whether I made the right decision. Everything felt new, the building, the faces, the expectations, but I just knew that this was made just for me.
The morning began with introductions to the course team and an overview of what the next three years will involve. As we talked about the role of an adult nurse, I felt both inspired and slightly overwhelmed. Nursing is about far more than learning clinical skills; it’s about compassion, communication, professionalism, and advocating for people when they are most vulnerable. Hearing this made the responsibility feel very real. At moments, I wondered if I would be able to live up to it, but it also reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.
Our first practical session was a real highlight. We practiced how to perform effective hand hygiene and learned about infection prevention and control. While it might seem simple, the level of detail showed just how important these skills are. It made me realize that nursing isn’t always about dramatic moments, it’s often about getting the small things right to keep people safe. That was when it began to feel really real - I wasn’t just a student in a lecture theatre, I was starting to learn how to protect patients.
In lectures, we were introduced to the foundations of anatomy and physiology. I’ll be honest, it was a lot to take in, and at times it felt overwhelming. But even so, I could see how understanding the human body is essential to good nursing care. Knowing why something happens helps nurses make safer decisions, and that connection made the learning feel purposeful rather than intimidating.
One of the most reassuring moments came at the end of the day during group reflection. Hearing others talk openly about feeling nervous, excited, and unsure made me realize I wasn’t alone. Everyone seemed to be experiencing the same mix of determination and self-doubt, and that shared honesty created a real sense of belonging.
By the time I left campus, I was tired and mentally full. Yet proud. Proud that I had shown up, taken everything in, and taken the first step towards becoming an adult nurse. It was only day one, but it confirmed that despite the challenges ahead, this is exactly where I’m meant to be.