Courtney
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) - Mid Yorkshire Hospitals
From a young age, Courtney knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine.
Now in her third year at the University of Bradford in our BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) - Mid Yorkshire Hospitals programme, she’s on her way to becoming a qualified nurse. She has a particular interest in ICU and frontline care.
This is her story.
I’ve always known I wanted to go into medicine, and nursing felt like the perfect fit.
Making a difference
"I was always drawn to the idea of helping people and making a real difference."
"My interest in medicine led me to study biology, chemistry, and psychology at college, which gave me a strong foundation for nursing.
"I chose my course because it combined my passion for caring for others with the opportunity to expand on my lessons in college and delve into biology and psychology in more detail, both of which really interest me."
Open Day for Mid Yorkshire Hospitals
"Attending the Open Day for the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals course was a great opportunity to see the facilities for myself and decide whether it was the right fit for me."
"This played an important role in deciding that Bradford was my first-choice university.
"The Open Day also showed me that the course offered a more personalised experience with smaller cohorts, making it feel like a community and offering lots of learning experiences.
"Being close to home and the practical, hands-on approach were both big draws."
The course has been a great fit for me.
Exploring different aspects of nursing
"What stands out the most is the variety of experiences."
"Whether it’s mental health, child nursing, or adult care, the course provides an excellent range of theory and practical work.
"I’ve had the chance to explore different aspects of nursing, from respiratory and gastroenterology to ICU and community care, which has been fantastic.
"One of my favourite topics has been promoting health. We focused on exploring health policies, risk factors and communication strategies relating to anatomy and physiology like the musculoskeletal system, immune system and reproductive system.
"The assignment required us to conduct our own research, and I loved that I could apply what I was learning in my real-world placements.
"The Social Concepts of Nursing module was also another highlight, especially when we explored the psychology of nursing, how disabilities, social class, cultural differences, gender, and sexuality affect the care we provide.
"We also had an assignment focused on my local area (Dewsbury and Batley), which I found really meaningful."
Placements have been one of the most rewarding parts of the course.
Placement insights and experiences
"We do 8-11 weeks of placements as part of the course, and I've loved getting to work on various wards."
"From ICU to respiratory, each placement has given me new insights and experiences. I’ve especially enjoyed spending time with multidisciplinary teams, such as working with tissue viability nurses and attending clinics.
"One of my standout experiences was spending a 'spoke day' on the burns unit, where I even had the chance to watch a skin graft surgery in theatre.
"I’ve also had personal care duties, like helping patients with bed baths and assisting them with daily tasks, which has helped me develop my clinical skills. Building relationships with patients has also been a highlight as it’s really meaningful to see the difference that you’re making."
International placement
"This year, I’m going on an international placement to the Philippines for four weeks."
"During the village experience, I’ll be working in a local clinical placement in the mornings and spending the afternoons exploring the country, from hiking to island hopping.
"I’m really excited about this unique opportunity to see how healthcare is delivered in a different country."
Planning my future
"After graduation, I plan to join the army as a nursing officer after a fellow student told me about their experiences."
"I think this will open doors to a wide range of specialisms within nursing. I’m particularly interested in ICU and burns and plastics.
"These are areas I’ve already worked in and feel passionate about.
"I’m confident that the army will provide me with excellent training and opportunities to develop further."
My advice to future nursing students? Make the most of every opportunity.
My most valuable advice
"Take full advantage of all the placements, specialist teams, and multidisciplinary experiences offered during your degree."
"Once you graduate and specialise, you won’t have the chance to work with such a variety of people so make the most of it while you can.
"If you're passionate about nursing, there’s no limit to where you can go. Whether it’s working on the frontlines, in hospitals or developing your skills in more specialised areas, the opportunities are endless.
"Just keep an open mind, be proactive, and always push yourself to do more."
