Onitha Islam

How did you develop an interest in Nursing and why did you choose to study BSc Child Nursing?

I developed an interest in nursing after speaking to health care professionals who helped me to realise that being a nurse would be perfect for me. I found out that nurses face many challenges every day and this is what excited me about the job, as I love challenges and thrive off them. There is never a moment where a nurse is just sitting down doing nothing, they are always on their feet and this is what I liked. I like to be occupied as it helps me to feel like I have been productive with my day.

I chose BSc Child Nursing because I wanted to be able to make a difference to a child’s life and help impact the community in a positive way. By doing so it will help me feel good about myself as a person, as well as making others feel better about themselves.

Why did you choose to study at City, University of London?

I chose City, University of London because it is known to be one of the best Universities for Nursing in London. The course structure and facilities available are what attracted me to the course at City. After attending an open evening at City it made me realise that studying here would be beneficial for me as a Nursing student. I also found out that 100% of graduates are now in employment or further study six months after completing the course, which appealed to me.

What has been a highlight on the course for yourself?

The placements I have been on since starting the course have been the highlight for me. After working in a nursery, ward and in an A&E, I have been able to develop my skills in unimaginable ways. I have been able to truly experience what it will feel like once I am a qualified nurse. The people that I have met through this course and placements have made it a wonderful experience for me to enjoy.

Have you participated in any extracurricular activities at City?

I have not participated in extracurricular activities at City as I have not really had the time because I am working outside of the university whilst attending it.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at City?

I have enjoyed the wonderful friends that I have made during my time in City. Without the friends that I have made, I don’t think I would have enjoyed the course as much as I have. We have all been able to help each other one way or another, especially in relation to the course, which has really impacted our views on studying at City and doing a nursing degree.

How have you found the teaching on your course?

I think that the teaching on the course is very thorough. Whenever I have needed help I have been able to contact the lecturers with ease and have been helped by them numerous times. When I wasn’t able to understand something or needed help in regards to my assignment or assessment, the lecturers made sure they took time out for me, to talk me through what needs to be done and how to do it. The lecturers have made sure to include every piece of information we need to know during the seminars and lectures to help us in our theory as well as our practice. This allows me to feel confident as a student, as I know I am learning enough and am able to show it through my practice in placements.

How have you benefited from the facilities available at City?

I have majorly benefitted from the facilities in City. The clinical rooms where we practice our nursing skills have by far been the best ones. Been able to practice here has really given me the confidence boost that I needed, as a nursing student, before going into placement. The university library has also been of great use. When it came to my assignments and exams I knew I could rely on the university library to be able to find the resources I needed, to succeed in the theory aspect of the course.

Could you tell us about your placements?

I have worked in a nursery, ward and A&E and I have enjoyed them all so far. I did find it challenging at first. I felt scared because I thought I would make a mistake and get into trouble for it. However that was far from the truth. When I finally settled into my placements, I always had the guidance of my mentors, which allowed me to learn and understand what I was doing.

What I enjoyed the most was that I was so involved with the care of the patients. My mentors made sure to include me in all aspects of the care given to the patient, which gave me a true insight into how it feels to be a nurse. I was encouraged to make my own decisions regarding the patient under the supervision of a qualified nurse and was assisted when needed. By being on these placements I have really gained confidence in the skills that I learned during University, as I was able to apply the knowledge I had to practice.

How will your placements help you with your future career?

My placements will help me with my future career as I now know what being a nurse consists of. It has shown me that being a nurse means way more than just providing care for a patient. It has shown me that in order to be an excellent nurse I need to be able to provide holistic care to my patients. The skills that I am picking up in my placements will benefit me once I have started my career, as I will feel like I have the knowledge to take care of my patients and won’t feel incompetent.

What are you looking most forward to during the rest of your time at City, University of London?

I am looking forward to my future placements, especially my elective placement, where I have a choice in where I go to do my placement. I am also excited to meet new people during my placement, those from different universities and from different Health Care backgrounds. I look forward to being able to work with more members of the multi-disciplinary team and see how they all work together to be able to provide the best care for their patients.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?

I plan to apply for a job as a newly qualified nurse, hopefully in one of the placements that I have already worked in. I plan to work as a Nurse and keep gaining experience and one day hopefully be able to do my masters and excel in my career up to band 6.

What would be your advice to anyone considering studying BSc Child Nursing?

To anyone who is considering to study at City for BSc Child Nursing I would say go for it!! You will not be disappointed at all. It is one of the most rewarding careers you could go into and to have a university like City helping you gain that qualification is like the cherry on top. You will be fully supported in what you do and they will make sure you are more than competent before you graduate a fully qualified nurse. The experience of being a student nurse in City is one that I think all nursing students should experience, as I think this will help you get that extra confidence boost you really want.