Student nurses gear up for first work placement

Delighted student nurses have reached that landmark moment when they collect their uniforms and find out where their first work placement will be.

After being measured up several weeks ago, more than 200 students from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) have tried on their new uniforms.

They have also found out where their first work placements will be at hospitals and community settings all across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, starting from January 9.

Megan Williams, 19, from Northampton, and Rebecca Bate, 20, from West London, are both studying Adult Nursing.

"We found out about our placements yesterday," said Megan, "and now we've got the uniforms so we feel ready to go, although a little anxious!

"The uniform is nice and smart - they're nice colours, unlike some you see at other places."

Rebecca, whose placement will be at a trauma and orthopaedics unit, added: "I'm excited. I want it to be January now so that I can start my placement - I really want to wear my little watch!

"The uniforms are really quite nice, especially the logo, even though they feel a bit stiff at first."

Each nursing student gets five sets of uniforms, paid for by DMU, and can choose between tunics, trousers or dresses. All are provided by Leicester-based sportswear and NHS uniforms supplier Grahame Gardner.

Katherine Baxter-Harris, 41, from Leicester, is training to be a Mental Health Nurse and will be doing her placement at a mental health unit.

She said: "It's been a time of real anticipation for us - waiting to find out about our placement, collecting our uniform and getting our first assignment mark back."

Kelly Grounds, DMU Nursing and Midwifery placement co-ordinator, said: "The students were all measured up when they first started the course.

"They've all completed their first term in the classroom doing theory and now is an exciting time for them when they not only get their uniforms but the anxious wait to find out where they are going for their placement is over."

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at DMU runs a diverse range of courses for healthcare professionals at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with students able to start at several intake points during the year.