Developing the next generation of healthcare specialists

A number of our students are actively researching career options in the healthcare sector and have taken up opportunities for work experience and workshops to learn from practitioners who work in this field.

Two students who are set for careers in Nursing and Occupational Health are Emma Baines and Lucy Moss who are pursuing careers in the NHS. Lucy has applied for an Adult Nursing and Emma an Occupational Therapist degree. Last year they met with the Richmond District Nursing team for an insight meeting and this year they have been working with Ms Mannion on their interview preparation, via Google Meet, where they were able to practise responses to frequently asked questions, and brush up on their remote interview skills.

Emma said: “I am choosing to do a degree of Occupational Therapy because it has always been a fascination to me. I would say, myself and hopefully my fellow friends would agree, that I have a warm, confident personality which I think is an essential attribute for this type of career as well as the determination to follow the steps to get to that goal – including all placements and experience needed.

“Unfortunately, when I was younger I was involved in a road traffic accident. I was run over by a car and was unable to walk for a long period of time. Thanks to the help from Occupational Therapists and several other NHS key workers, I was able to get back on my feet and carry on being a normal child. I am very thankful for all those who helped and by an expression of my gratitude I want to give something back to the NHS.

“I hope that others my age see, especially in recent times, how extraordinary NHS key workers are and the effort they put in to keep the wellbeing and safety of their own community maintained. And hopefully one day, myself and Lucy will do the same.”

Lucy commented: “I am choosing to study a degree in nursing due to having a large personal interest in the profession through learning about the roles and responsibilities of a nurse in my health and social studies. In addition I have had multiple conversations with nurses who work in the NHS, for example my auntie who I have always had really positive discussions with regarding her career, as well as her stories which were both tragic and heart warming. In addition, I also had a conversation with the district nurses in Richmond who explained to both myself and Emma that being a nurse isn’t always easy but is an extremely rewarding job with so many advantages.

“Due to my caring nature I feel as though I can provide the best care possible to patients whilst providing them with emotional support in tough times and hopefully make their days even just a little bit easier. I think that a career in nursing will be challenging, often exciting and allow me to grow and serve my community. I think working in the NHS is a fantastic career choice and have nothing but admiration for the efforts of all the NHS staff in recent times during the COVID-19 pandemic.