Driven to be a paediatric nurse

Aspiring paediatric nurse Clara Wearmouth, has been working towards completing a T level in healthcare qualification, while gaining hands-on placement experience within the paediatrics team at the trust.

Clara, a Stockton Riverside College student, took some time out to answer a few questions and to share how her experience on placement was going:

Tell us about your T Level Experience so far

During my first rotation within paediatrics, I get to work alongside one of the nurses to assist them in looking after their patients. Throughout a typical day, I have observed how they make up medication and administer them orally or via cannulas. I’ve also helped with clinical observations on the children. I have also been given opportunities to see wound care and how casts are taken off and then replaced.

As part of the rotation, I am also given the opportunity to sit with the children as well as interact with families, which has helped me to massively improve my confidence in communicating with new people. From this placement I have seen a wide range of different illnesses and reasons for children to be in hospital, which I have really enjoyed as it has helped to widen my knowledge of illnesses and their symptoms.

What have you liked about your time on placement at the Trust?

I have enjoyed getting hands-on experience within the ward and getting to observe many skills that will be useful to me in the future. I have also enjoyed meeting lots of new people and learning lots of different things and getting to practise my communication skills.

The placement has also helped me to be able to improve my confidence. All the staff working on the ward are friendly and have made me feel comfortable and welcome. 

What do you like about the T Level course?

I like the practical aspect of the T level course, as it allows you to learn many different skills that you can then see being used in placement. I also like that it is exam based rather than coursework.

Is there a reason you wanted to pursue a career in healthcare?

I have always wanted to work within healthcare, as I enjoy helping others and being able to make a difference in their lives.

How supportive have you found the Education team at the Trust?

The education team regularly visits you on placement, which gives you a chance to express any issues you may be having.

Has the placement met your expectations and how useful do you think it will be in your future career plans?

My placement has been extremely useful and has benefited me, as it has given me an insight into the role of a children’s nurse and what the day-to-day roles involve. I am also being given the opportunity to get to see different areas within paediatrics, which can help me to decide what area I may like to work in in the future.

What are your plans once you have completed your T Level qualification?

Once I have completed my T level I hope to go to university to study paediatric nursing.

Is there anything you do in your placement that people might not expect to be part of a healthcare role?

There is a lot of admin and documentation that needs to be done throughout the day and it isn’t always just interacting with patients all day.

Would you recommend the T Level Health programme to others who want to get into healthcare?

Yes. If you are wanting a job in healthcare it allows you to get hands on experiences in wards and the many different jobs you can do within the sector. It also provides you with a good level of academic knowledge which can be built on in the future. The course also helps you to develop important communication skills to improve your confidence.