Being on placements was a great learning opportunity
"I did not have any experience working in hospitals prior to starting the course. My family had received a lot of support from the NHS, and I decided I wanted to give something back. Going to university full-time was not possible for me at the time, but I heard about the Nursing Associate programme through my auntie.
"Each week I had one university day, either online or face-to-face on campus. For each unit at the university, I attended two placements in an alternate field. University days were planned well in advance on the subjects that we were studying for each unit.
"On my days off I had assignments, revisions and reflections to write. I found it very beneficial to do my practical learning and the theory at university at the same time as I could link the two together.
"I went on a variety of placements and gained experience working with children and people with disabilities, as well as mental health. Being on placements was a great learning opportunity.
I have experienced working in various care settings including A&E, intensive care, burns units, infectious diseases and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice to name a few.
Kirsten Leslie
"My daily activities included receiving handovers for patients, assisting patients with care to ensure their needs are met, assisting in medication rounds, completing dressings, preparing patients for theatre and observing patients on return to the ward.
"I really enjoyed my role and seeing a patient's journey from admission to discharge was very rewarding. Caring for a deteriorating patient and their family is challenging but it was also rewarding to be a part of providing the best care to the patient and family.
"The advice I would give to anyone joining as a student nursing associate is to not be too hard on yourself. Working full-time alongside studying and looking after a family is a real challenge but planning my time each week around my shifts helps to know when I can put time aside to work on my university assignments."