From placement to purpose: Hartlepool student finds her calling in children’s nursing

Lucy Skedd has found her passion in paediatrics, thanks to T Level placements.

A second-year student from Hartlepool Sixth Form College, Lucy has been working in the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Tees.

We caught up with Lucy on her very last day at the hospital to find out more about her experience on placement.

Tell us about your T Level experience so far

I’ve had a very positive T Level experience. I have been lucky enough to have had a placement on the children’s ward at University Hospital of North Tees where I worked closely with nurses and healthcare assistants.

They helped develop my knowledge and I received incredible support from the staff who encouraged my learning and answered any questions I had.

I was able to help the nurses with tasks such as taking physiological observations. This helped reinforce my college learning and enabled me to develop practical skills and confidence in preparation for my exams. 

What have you liked about your time on placement?

I am very grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to work on a children’s ward as well as an adult ward. It has provided me with valuable experience because it allowed me to develop a wider range of communication and care skills.

I learned how to adapt my approach to meet the needs of patients of varying ages, as well as how to communicate effectively with families and multidisciplinary teams.

My time on placement also helped me build confidence, improve my understanding of patient-centred care and gain insight into the different challenges and responsibilities involved in caring for both adults and children.

“Lucy has been amazing to have on the ward. From day one, you could see that she wanted to be a children’s nurse. She came on the ward with a big smile, already very passionate and keen to learn. She’s been brilliant with all members of the team, and with children and their parents.

“I can’t thank Lucy enough for coming and joining us at North Tees on her journey and we hope she’ll be with us again soon on her uni placements. She’s truly been a treasure to have.”

Alyson Thompson, manager of the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Tees

Why were you interested in a career in healthcare?

I am passionate about helping people and making a positive difference in their lives. Healthcare offers the opportunity to support individuals during some of their most challenging moments, which I find both meaningful and rewarding.

How have you been supported by the education team?

I’ve found the education team very supportive and helpful throughout my time on placement. They helped me develop both my confidence and skills by delivering sessions such as ‘clinical skills development days’ at the Health and Social Care Academy which allowed us to develop practical skills as well as extend our knowledge on the healthcare sector.

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

I had never been on a children’s ward before my placement so I wasn’t too sure what to expect.

I gained a greater understanding of what children’s nursing is like. Being able to have a placement on the children’s ward was very useful to my future career plans of aspiring to become a children’s nurse.

It gave me valuable experience and an insight into working with children and their families as well as confirming that children’s nursing is the career I want to pursue.

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

Once I’ve completed my T Level, I plan to start my degree in children’s nursing at Teesside University.

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

One thing people might not expect to be a part of a healthcare job is the amount of communication involved in their role. Healthcare professionals spend a lot of time talking with patients, families and other members of the healthcare team to ensure the best care is provided.

I also learned that teamwork and emotional support are just as important as the clinical aspects of the job. 

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

I would definitely recommend the T Level programme. It contains industry work placement, clinical skills as well as theory to maximise your knowledge.

The placement allows you to develop skills such as communication, teamwork and professionalism while gaining a real understanding of the healthcare environment.

It also helps you explore different healthcare careers and provides experience that can support applications for university, apprenticeships or healthcare jobs.