Hi there! My name’s Molly and I am a children's Nursing Student at the University of South Wales.
Molly
I have always loved working and caring for children of all ages since before I can remember. I always knew I wanted to work with children, but I didn’t know what career was for me. In college, I had a placement in a general children’s ward. Here I gained so much experience and saw the workings of a children’s nurse. I instantly fell in love with the job and never wanted to leave.
When a child gets admitted to a hospital, they are scared and vulnerable, being the person who can have a positive impact on their experience by making them feel at ease and distracting them. Children are so resilient, which makes children’s nursing even more special. Seeing a child get admitted who is acutely poorly and then seeing them recover is one of the most magical things you’ll ever experience in the nursing profession.
One of the things I love about being a children’s nurse is the family aspect of a child’s care. Taking on a family-centred approach can change a parent's whole experience of their child’s hospital stay. Being there to support and care for parents during the most daunting and upsetting times is one of the most rewarding aspects of children’s nursing.
My advice
When in education, pick subjects that will benefit your career in children’s nursing.
One thing I will say is to enjoy the process and don’t put too much pressure on yourself. When applying for child nursing courses, do your research and see what attracts you to that particular university.
My biggest piece of advice is to seek out every opportunity that comes your way.