Tell us a bit about your degree…
I am currently just over halfway through my degree.
I have had some amazing placement opportunities (a Renal ward, a Hospice, a Post-surgical ward, A&E and an Elective Orthopaedic Centre), where I have seen patients with a variety of illnesses and health problems. I have volunteered in and out of the University to expand my own knowledge and skills. For example, I have volunteered in the Dementia Buddies Scheme at the Warrington Campus – taking service users to Warrington Wolves home games, helping at a homeless shelter in St Helens and assisting in University open days and student simulation training. I have also improved my presentation and written skills when learning theory in lectures and made some great friends too.
What advice would you give to a student looking to study this course at the University of Chester?
The University has four sites which all deliver the same course in Adult Nursing. There are various opportunities that all students get involved with across the sites and can contribute to improving their own experiences.
The tutors bring their own experience to the lectures which really helps. Not only for the anatomy and physiology lessons, but when you have a placement somewhere that a tutor has worked in. This helps you to prepare you for the practical side and gives you a sounding board if any issues arise as they have been there and experienced it first-hand.
Have you taken part in any other activities outside of your studies?
Yes. Some with and extra to the course. Some mentioned above. Others are an NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) audit and quality assurance interview, helping at OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) assessments, being part of the ‘Letters for Dementia Patients’ student empowerment group, which looks at how to improve palliative care and develops how veterans’ treatment is understood by NHS workers.
Tell us the most important thing you will take away from your university experience?
I will take away the valuable lessons I have learned on placement. The theory 100% supports the skills we need, but until you are in the hospital/area working with staff and patients, those skills are never fully understood until you must do them yourself.
Could you tell us a bit about your favourite things to do on campus or in Warrington as a town?
I am living in a flat in Warrington (the commute to uni is 20-40 mins, traffic dependant).
My favourite thing to do in Warrington is explore - it might seem like it’s just a town in between Liverpool and Manchester (which comes in handy) but there is a mix of shops, gyms, nice places to eat/drink, green spaces to run and exercise in and good transport to get you to where you need to go.
In terms of the Campus - it's small, which is great for getting from the canteen to class to the library. You get to know the staff well as there is a small group of lecturers. The parking is free which really makes a difference when you are in all week, and it's close to the M62 and M6 so great for those who are commuting from outside of Warrington. There are some good spaces to sit and do group work, or just have a social catch up, and finally, there is a good gym, small, yet with all the necessities.
How would you summarise your Chester story?
“A bag of liquorish all sorts”.
With nursing training, there’s bits you like, and bits you don’t. More of some things and limited amounts of another thing, but ultimately, they are all important. Also, not everyone likes the same aspects – hence why sharing and teamwork ensures that everything is covered, and nothing is left undone (or uneaten).
