University nursing students have stepped up to help UHNM through the COVID-19 pandemic

More than 100 student nurses are set to join UHNM to support its efforts in responding to COVID-19. Royal Stoke and County Hospital are to welcome more than 30 students from Staffordshire University and 70 from Keele University who will be working across both Children’s and Adult's services.

The students, who were due to qualify in September, have chosen to take up positions at UHNM early to support the NHS locally.

Erica Blake from Newcastle-under-Lyme said she felt compelled to help provide care at a time when the health service is facing unprecedented demand.

Erica, 23, who is a student representative for the Adult Nursing course at Staffordshire University said: “We’re in our final six months of the course so we’ve had a lot of preparation. I feel able to offer support as I know what the pressures can be on the wards.”

Erica, who has already secured employment on the Acute Medical Unit at University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust, added: “Having no one at risk at home has also contributed to my decision. It’s part of our moral code as a nurse to help people where we possibly can and we know to speak up if we feel we’re not able to do something which is about being a safe nurse.”

Cheryl Firman, 53, from Stoke-on-Trent has previously worked as a nursing assistant at UHNM and continues to work a shift on Saturday nights in the Accident and Emergency department. She said she felt her age and experience helped her not to feel overwhelmed by the current situation.

She added: “So long as I’ve got the correct personal protective equipment (ppe), I’ll do whatever I can do to help. I also work with experienced and colleagues who are fully committed to giving excellent patient care which has given me more confidence.”

Senior Nurse for Education and Workforce, Kate Hackett said: “It is amazing to see so many students step forward to support our local hospitals and our profession. This will be a huge boost to our nursing teams across UHNM, they will be welcomed with open arms and I would like to say an enormous thank you to every single one.”