Kelly Manaloto

What has been a highlight on the course for yourself?

Placement has definitely been the highlight of my course! I experienced so many things I never had before and came home after every shift with a new story to tell.

I also met so many friends and lovely patients who taught me so much and gave me so many wonderful memories.

Have you participated in any extracurricular activities at City? For example, being a student rep, taking part in any student union societies, volunteering.

Since joining City, I have become a student representative where I was able to share my experiences and earn some money through fun and simple tasks such as writing blogs or giving campus tours.

I had also joined the Filipino society where I was able to connect with my culture and meet new friends, as well as the nursing society which helped me my schoolwork and where I got advice from students in higher years.

How have you found the teaching on your course?

I think the teaching at City has been amazing so far! City offers interactive learning seminars, clinical practice sessions and face to face lectures which have enhanced my teamwork skills, given me opportunities to ask for help and share and receive feedback.

The lecturers are also nurses themselves who have been extremely helpful and have given us advice and extra help to better our practice.

Furthermore, the knowledge I've gained from my lectures have helped me reach a deeper understanding of the conditions and procedures I have encountered on placement.

I was able to keep up with nurses and doctors during ward rounds and answer some of my patient’s questions regarding their illnesses or upcoming surgeries, which helped relieve their fears.

How have you benefited from the facilities available at City?

City has many facilities such as Moodle, essay support seminars and more which have enhanced my learning and my grades.

I found the City online library extremely useful when I had to find references for my coursework or information for my notes.

I also got help from the one- to-one learning support session which helped me pinpoint what I was doing well and what I needed to improve on before submitting.

The lab and clinical practice sessions also increased my confidence of working in a clinical setting as I was able to practice medical skills in a mimicked hospital ward without harming anyone or feeling judged.

When it came to placement, I had already mastered some skills which helped me cope with the busy environment.

Could you tell us about your placement; where have you been based? What have you enjoyed most? What aspects have you found most challenging?

I went to a Gynaecology ward at St Mary’s hospital, where I took care of women of all ages undergoing different surgeries related to the female reproductive system.

The most memorable part of my placement was when I got to watch a hysterectomy surgery which was exciting and gave me a visual understanding to the theory I learnt in my lectures.

I also got to partake in a pregnancy ultrasound where the doctor gave me the opportunity to locate the baby's heartbeat.

It was a truly heart-warming moment for me. The most challenging part of placement was adjusting to the long hours and maintaining a healthy routine. However, by planning my day and meals I was able to get enough energy for my shifts.

What would be your advice to anyone considering studying Adult Nursing?

Get experience!! Shadow a nurse, volunteer, work at a care home, anything will do.

Nursing is a great profession, but it isn’t for everyone; it can be tiring, difficult and sometimes messy so it’s important to make sure you can handle it, so you can provide the best care for your patients and take care of yourself.