Explore Nursing at Salford

From balancing placements and exams, to having a social life and getting a good night’s sleep – life as a student nurse can be demanding.

Nathan Harrison, a second-year adult nursing student, details how he manages to keep on top of it all.

Before Nathan began studying at Salford, he worked as a healthcare assistant at Royal Bolton Hospital. He says that his experiences there inspired him to apply for the adult nursing course.

‘The hospital has students from this University and they encouraged me to go for it. They were really good students, they seemed to know what they were doing and were really knowledgeable – that made me choose here.’

It was also the practical elements of the course that sparked his interest.

‘We do 50 percent in theory and 50 percent in practice. All my placements have been at the Salford Royal and I’ve done various wards and departments. I really enjoyed it.’

Leadership

Along with child nursing student Jane Boardman, Nathan has been accepted onto a prestigious student leadership programme.

Known as #150Leaders, the programme is a partnership between the Council of Deans and the Burdett Trust for Nursing. A select number of healthcare students from across the country are provided with conferences, coaching and an online community to help develop their leadership skills. 

Nathan first heard about the programme through his involvement with the Nursing Society. Their previous treasurer had taken part in #150Leaders the year before and had spoken ‘really highly’ of it.

‘I couldn’t believe it when I found out I got on the programme. It was a surprise – I think it received more than 300 applications and two of us from Salford got places, which is amazing!’ Nathan said. 

‘I’ve been really interested in healthcare leadership, so this was the perfect opportunity. [I wanted to apply] just for personal development. I’ve done a lot at University which I’ve been able to reflect on. I feel like since I’ve started this course, I’ve been able to develop myself and I know so much more about myself than I did before.

‘I think being in second year now, it’s the perfect opportunity. Then as third year approaches, when we’ll be going into the registered profession, I’ll be in a better position because I’ll have these leadership qualities.’

Looking Forward

Originally, Nathan wanted to be a hospice nurse; he enjoyed the setting and nature of the work. However, at Salford, he has challenged himself and is open to new opportunities. This has led him to take on work experience in A and E.

‘I’ve absolutely loved it – I never expected to want to work in A and E,’ he said. ‘But now, it’s something I’m wanting to do once I’ve qualified. I’ve been doing some agency work as a support worker in A and E departments across Manchester and I’ve just loved it.’