Today was such an exciting day full of amazing experiences, eye-opening presentations, and so many snacks! We started the morning with our usual walk to the BCU campus, but instead of heading straight into a lecture, we got to do something completely different. We were able to do a mini skills lab using the Anatomage tables. I had heard of them before, but I had never actually seen one in person, and honestly, I thought they were the coolest things ever.
The Anatomage table is basically a giant, interactive, touch‑screen anatomy table that lets you explore the human body layer by layer. It’s like a virtual cadaver, but way cleaner and way less intimidating. You can rotate the body, zoom in, remove layers, isolate organs, so pretty much anything you’d want to do in an anatomy lab without the smell of formaldehyde! What blew my mind was how realistic everything looked. It didn’t feel like looking at a diagram; it felt like looking at an actual person.
One table showed a developing fetus, and we could literally scroll through the different stages of pregnancy and watch how the fetus grows and changes. Seeing the tiny details like the formation of limbs, the development of organs was surreal. On the other table, we watched a simulation of a woman giving birth. It wasn’t graphic, but it was incredibly detailed and so cool. Watching the baby rotate, descend, and finally be delivered made me appreciate just how complex and powerful the birthing process is. It felt like something out of a futuristic hospital that I never thought I’d get to experience.
After the skills lab, we spent a little time touching up our presentations before grabbing a quick lunch. I had pasta salad and a sandwich which was simple, but yummy. Then we headed back to the classroom for a bit before going downstairs to the lobby, where BCU had set up multiple tables for us to visit.
This part of the day was such a pleasant surprise. We got to talk to so many interesting people, including two individuals from the Royal Air Force Medical Services. I’m not kidding when I say they almost convinced me to join. They were so passionate about their work, and the way they talked about the opportunities, the travel, the teamwork, everything is paid for… and it all sounded kind of amazing. I never thought I’d say this, but I could actually see myself doing something like that one day. Maybe. Possibly. We’ll see lol.
They also gave us tote bags filled with BCU merch, which was adorable. I’m a sucker for anything free, especially if it’s cute. They had tea, coffee, water, and pastries laid out for us too, which made the whole thing feel even more welcoming.
Then it was time for the start of our international nursing conference. I was a little nervous going into it, but the speakers were genuinely inspiring. They talked a lot about the importance of advocacy in nursing and how we hold the title of the most trusted profession. But they also pointed out that trust in nurses has been declining, which honestly shocked me. They emphasized how important it is to listen to family members when something seems off with a patient because they know them better than anyone. It was a good reminder that nursing isn’t just about clinical skills, but it’s about communication, intuition, and partnership.
Next, we heard from our very own teacher Melissa Marks, who gave a presentation on diversity and implicit bias. She did such an amazing job engaging everyone and making us think about the biases we all carry without even realizing it. It wasn’t a lecture that made you feel guilty, but it was one that made you feel aware, reflective, and motivated to do better.
After Melissa, we listened to a panel of BCU nursing students, some of whom we had already met during our midwifery lecture last week. They did a Q&A with Chinenye and talked about finding their passions, navigating doubts, and figuring out their paths in nursing. Hearing them speak so honestly made me feel a lot less alone in my own uncertainties.
Then came presentation time. My group went first, which honestly helped because I didn’t have time to sit there and overthink it. We presented on supporting children with special needs in the US and UK, comparing classroom settings, hospital environments, and even adding a slide about what we learned regarding learning disability nurses here in the UK. It felt good to share something meaningful, and by the time we finished, I instantly felt relieved to not have to stress about it anymore.
The other groups covered topics like women’s reproductive education and healthcare, single parenting and access to healthcare, mental health care in the US vs. UK, and how socioeconomic status affects health outcomes. Every group brought something different and important to the table, and it made the whole conference feel well-rounded and thoughtful.
To wrap up the day, we had dinner at the Brasshouse on Broad Street. It was the perfect way to end such a full day. I left feeling proud, relieved, and honestly excited for what’s next.
Great day, and yes, my nerves are officially gone!