A Carlton apprentice is discovering the benefits of earning and learning after taking up a post at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.
Cairon Evans among a group of 16 and 17-year olds who recently took up the opportunity to become hospital apprentices at the city’s largest hospital so they can learn first-hand about front-line care.
They have been working alongside nurses and doctors to help provide care for patients in a variety of areas.
Cairon is working on a healthcare of the older people ward at QMC and says he has learned more than he expected.
The 17-year-old said: “It’s really good and interesting. As well as learning you’re getting paid. When I first started I found it quite challenging. But now I know what to do, I’m confident, and I get lots of appraisals and ‘thank yous’ and it makes a difference. When you’re seeing things happen and you’re learning on the spot it’s better for you.
“You get so much help from the ward manager, all the staff, to get things done.
“I work with the elderly. I help with their observations, bladder scans and things that would be more clinical. I like working with the staff, we’re a real team – we all work together.
“I enjoy working with the patients – they are all different and it’s good to be able to help them.”
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH), which operates QMC and City Hospital, is increasing the number of apprentices in line with government targets and is offering apprenticeships in a variety of areas not just on wards.
Emma Cross, Apprentice Trainer at NUH’s Institute of Nursing and Midwifery Excellence, said the apprentices were an important part of the team and it was good to recognise their efforts during national Apprenticeship Week.
She said: “These roles don’t replace nursing and other staff but lend important support and learn a great deal while they are with us. They are getting real experience working in many areas and putting their efforts into something positive and earning at the same time.
“For many it will be their first step in a long career in health care.”
Cairon said he would recommend an apprenticeship at NUH and says the experience has helped him focus on what he wants to do and give him a way of starting a new career.
He said: “I just love it. I want to progress. My main goal is to go to university and do my nursing degree.”
For more information about apprenticeships at NUH contact Place Michelle , Apprentice Lead, Michelle.Place@nuh.nhs.uk.
