Currently two and a half years into her degree and on clinical placement in cardiology at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Mica Lee is studying for a BSc in Adult Nursing at 蜜桃AV.
鈥淭wo of my best friends went to 蜜桃AV, and it was one of the first options because it鈥檚 close to home for me and I preferred it over Southampton because it was more laid-back.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been interested in nursing, since I was young, but it wasn鈥檛 something that I pursued at college. When I was studying, I became a full-time carer for my Nan, and it was from that that I thought I might be alright as a nurse.鈥�
While on placement, Mica enjoys having a degree of autonomy while still being able to find a helping hand when she needs it.
鈥淟ife at 蜜桃AV is really great, it鈥檚 really laid back and I鈥檝e been lucky enough to have some really amazing mentors and tutors, and the level of support is really good as well, so if there鈥檚 anything you are struggling with, there鈥檚 always a helping hand.
鈥淎t university, we鈥檙e given a general placement but the team is great, it鈥檚 probably one of the best teams that I鈥檝e worked with 鈥� they鈥檙e really trusting, so it鈥檚 one of the placements where I鈥檝e had the most independence in doing things, whereas often a lot of the time, you can be a bit wrapped up in bubble wrap and everything you do is watched.
鈥淎t Royal Bournemouth Hospital, I鈥檓 able to get on with my work, which really helps my confidence and makes me more sure of what I鈥檓 doing, too. Sometimes, it can be really busy, then other days it can be quiet and I鈥檓 fighting for jobs to do. Everyone on the ward is there to help when you need it, and they鈥檝e all been really welcoming, considering you鈥檙e the new kid on the block, so it鈥檚 been great.鈥�
Sometimes it鈥檚 good to try something new, and as Mica explains, delving into more than one area can help with understanding broader subject areas.
鈥淚t鈥檚 different than anything that I鈥檝e done before because I鈥檝e mainly been in nursing homes and on a surgical ward based in neurology. Cardiology was something that I knew nothing about so it was good to get a better understanding 鈥� everyone has a heart and it is the main system in the body so it鈥檚 been really good to understand everyone鈥檚 different anatomy and physiology and how it works. It鈥檚 then good to be able to cater the care to suit people鈥檚 needs.
鈥淚t鈥檚 mainly the little things, like if a patient is down about something, and you manage to get an outcome that they want, that鈥檚 probably one of the best things. A lot of patients, when they are here, are at their most vulnerable, so they need someone that is willing to do the extra running round, making sure that they get a safe outcome that they want.
Initially, travel was a bit of a concern for Mica, with the distances involved being a challenge, but her work so far is leading her to consider further studies.
鈥淚 love being here, I thought I鈥檇 get fed up after a while because I do an hour鈥檚 commute back and forth all the time, and I thought that would put me off, but it hasn鈥檛. It鈥檚 been a really great university, to the point where I am thinking about staying on another year to do a postgraduate degree researching dementia.
For more information about nursing courses at 蜜桃AV, visit the .听