For student nurses, there could not be a more challenging and historically significant time to be joining the NHS.
Over the last couple of weeks 68 student nurses from across North Lancashire and South Cumbria have joined University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT).
All of the student nurses say they are passionate about the NHS and want to support the Trust’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
Their enthusiasm and energy is bringing a very welcome injection of positivity to the Trust.
Chloe Round, 20, from Barrow in Furness, has been studying at Liverpool John Moores University and is currently working on placement on Ward 4 at Furness General Hospital.
Chloe said she felt it was the right decision to join the Trust at this time of crisis: “Being able to give back to my local Trust at a time of great difficulty for everyone seemed like the best decision to make.
“The current situation is difficult for everyone, especially in the health care sector. As I am at the end of my training, I felt ready to be able to step up and help.
“I had always wanted to be a nurse from a young age. When my grandad became ill and was treated at Furness General Hospital, the care he received was amazing. I have always been determined that I would be a nurse and give other the same standard of care that he received.
“To be able to make a positive change to someone’s care, whether small or large, is an amazing thing. To see someone smile or laugh in a time of darkness is a heart-warming experience. Being able to go home and know that you have managed to put a small piece of joy into someone’s day makes all the hard work, tears and difficult times worth it.”
Chloe said she is enjoying working at the Trust: “My time so far in the Trust has been brilliant. The support I’ve received from the ward and from the team has been amazing. They’ve made me feel so welcome. I couldn’t ask for more.”
“Being able to lend a listening ear and keeping patients involved in what’s going on in the outside world really does make a difference to their day. I honestly do not think there are enough words to say ‘thank you’ to all the amazing NHS workers and care staff within the UK. Being part of an amazing team highlights the best parts of the NHS and the staff who work tirelessly for our sick and vulnerable patients each and every day.
“My main hope for the future is that will be able to continue in the support for the NHS, its staff and every key worker to ensure that every person gets the recognition they deserve for stepping up in this time of crisis.”
Shelley Gibirdi, 39, from Preston, who now lives in Barrow and works on placement at Furness General Hospital on the High Dependency Unit/Complex and Coronary Care, has been studying Nursing at the University of Cumbria.
Shelley decided to go back into education to study Nursing after working as a Healthcare Assistant in various Nursing Homes and bringing up her children.
Shelley said: “The current situation is undoubtedly scary for health care workers but it's a privilege to be able to use the skills I have developed throughout my training to assist with patient care during this time.
“It is also an incredible opportunity to further develop my own competence and confidence within the profession. The team I am working within is utterly incredible; so very supportive, helpful and welcoming and always happy to offer their experience and knowledge to help me to continue learning. I feel very fortunate to have been offered the opportunity to work within this team.
“I would eventually like to become an experienced critical care nurse who can respond instinctively to situations and help students learn as other nurses have helped me.”
During the current crisis, Shelley believes it is more important than ever to provide excellent patient care: “I always like to approach patients with positivity, compassion and warmth first and foremost.
“I feel it is very important for patients to feel the person caring for them is happy to help and will make the effort to make them smile as much as possible during a difficult time. The current situation has prevented normal visiting so I feel it is even more important to ensure patients feel they have TLC, kindness and compassion as well as effective and safe health care.
“I think everyone is more grateful than ever for each other’s help at the moment. There is no better learning opportunity than working alongside members of staff with higher levels experience; to observe their nursing care and interventions, ask questions and spend time discussing certain interventions is invaluable in our development. It is also really helpful to work with newly qualified staff who have recent experience of being where we are in our journey. I've found it reassuring to see how competent and confident they are so soon after qualifying.”
Shelley’s family and friends are proud of her for opting in and want her to be as safe as possible.
Shelley added: “They know this is the line of work I choose to do and my passion so they would probably have been more shocked if I had opted out.
“Everyone working within the NHS and health and social care sector, whether inpatient or community-based, is worth their weight in gold – with or without the pandemic. I am hugely proud to be joining the workforce!”
Charlotte Walters, 23, from Morecambe, who has been studying at the University of Chester, is now working on placement in the Emergency Department (ED) at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.
Charlotte was inspired to train to become a nurse after working as a receptionist in a GP surgery and did an access course at Lancaster and Morecambe College. She knew she wanted to get a job at the RLI because she had always found the staff at the RLI to be “caring, compassionate and incredibly helpful”.
Charlotte said: “At first I felt very uneasy and lacked confidence as the situation with coronavirus brought a lot of uncertainty. “After my first week at the RLI Emergency Department I felt very welcomed by all the staff. I have built up my confidence and learned to adapt to daily changes. All the staff have been so welcoming and I look forward to learning so much more.
“The Trust have been fantastic with communicating updates as this is a new situation for them to adapt to and I feel they have done an amazing job at getting us into practice very swiftly.”Charlotte clearly has a natural empathy with her patients: “During this time many patients cannot have their loved ones with them so providing reassurance is key. Hospitals can make people feel vulnerable and if I can help them feel at ease, this can set the foundations for a positive patient/nurse relationship.”
She said fellow students at the Trust had encouraged and motivated each other: “This is lovely as we all feel united during this unprecedented time.“I think that everyone from admin through to clinical is doing a fantastic job at keeping the NHS running through these uncertain times and they should all feel a sense of achievement and be proud to work under the NHS as a team.
“My hopes for the future are to learn as much as I can, expand my skill set and consistently provide a high standard of care to all. Once I have gained five to six years of experience, I aim to go back into education to gain extra qualifications to become an Advanced Practitioner and feel this is the best place to start.”
Alison Butler, 51, from Morecambe, who has been studying Nursing at the University of Cumbria and is now working on placement on the Children’s Ward at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, said she feels privileged to be joining the Trust.
Alison said: “Initially I was very apprehensive and not sure what to expect but I felt it was the right thing to do. I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity and very well supported by my colleagues. I recognise the importance of good team morale and have witnessed this throughout the whole hospital.
“I wanted to work here because the Trust is close to my home and I wish to work in as a paediatric staff nurse once qualified. The team are all very friendly, supportive and offer an excellent, dedicated service to their patients. I have benefitted from the knowledge and skills of experienced staff and have endeavoured to use these skills and knowledge to develop as a student nurse.
“My family and friends are very proud of my achievements so far. Without their incredible support, I would not have got to where I am now. I feel very lucky to have an amazing network of people around me.”
Alison’s hopes for the future are to continually develop her skills and knowledge to enable her to be the best children’s nurse she can be.
Alison added: “To everyone working in the NHS at the moment, I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’. You are all amazing!”