Student finds her calling in children’s nursing

Hartlepool Sixth Form College student Lucy Skedd says studying a T Level has set her on the path towards a “meaningful and rewarding” career as a paediatrician.

Through her course in Education and Childcare, Lucy was able to undertake a placement on the children and adult wards at the University Hospital of North Tees thanks to the college’s partnership with the NHS.

Through the experience her placement has given her, she’s found a passion for paediatrics and is planning to start a degree in Children’s Nursing. As well the clinical skills learnt during her work placement, Lucy has developed her communication skills, which she’s found are vital in a health profession to provide the best care for patients and their families.

Lucy said: “I’ve had a very positive T Level experience. I’ve been lucky enough to have 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.”

Placements between education providers and local employers provide students with opportunities to gain valuable experience and develop a wider range of communication and skills, while also building confidence, improve my understanding of a workplace and gain insight into the different challenges and responsibilities involved in a real life working environment.

T Levels are designed with and supported by employers to give students the skills to succeed, focussing on vocational skills and helping students progress into skilled employment, further study or a higher apprenticeship.

T Level’s are equivalent to 3 A-Levels, and a 45-day industry placement will give students valuable workplace experience.

They will spend 80% of the course in their learning environment, gaining the skills that employers need. The other 20% is an industry placement, where those skills will be put into action.

Alyson Thompson, manager of the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Tees said: “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 university placements. She’s truly been a treasure to have.”

Lucy added: “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.

“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.”