On the 13th of October, Ponteland High School’s sixth form was given the opportunity to attend a nursing masterclass at Cramlington Health Centre. The trip was specifically created for those interested in medical and healthcare careers, such as myself; however, it was also attended by those who simply wished to attend out of interest. The trip, carefully curated by the lovely volunteers at Cramlington, involved several sessions that each focused on individual nursing branches including: orthopaedics, neonatal, scrubs, geriatric, critical care and end of life care. During these sessions students engaged in activities such as bandaging, measuring pulse and keeping up the hygiene for the elderly, using practice surgical tools and techniques as well as a calm discussion on why end-of-life care is so critical to patients and their families. By the end of the day it was clear that the nurses we met had a lasting impact as 5 of the students who attended, touched by sad and joyous stories, expressed their desire to enter the neonatal nursing field thanks to the hardworking volunteers who provided raw real life experiences and a friendly environment.
Myself and the other sixth formers in attendance all agreed we were incredibly lucky to have been given this opportunity that will hopefully contribute to our future careers and open new doors. Others were also fortunate to be able to attend other courses such as surgical and pharmaceutical, giving students a chance to partake in a wide range of options if they might be unsure on a career path!
By Leila A, Year 12