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School pupils gain hands on experience of nursing careers

Tuesday, 24 July, 2012

Senior secondary school pupils from across the North-east are enjoying a Nursing Summer School as the result of collaboration between NHS Grampian and the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Nursing Summer School 2012Twenty-eight fourth and fifth-year secondary school pupils from across Aberdeen City and Shire, Moray, Orkney and the Highlands are currently taking part in a week-long programme which has been designed as an educational experience to help interested school pupils make informed decisions about whether nursing is the right career choice for them.

During the week, which runs from 20 to 27 July, pupils have been learning and practising core nursing skills, gaining an insight into student life, observing nursing work within real clinical settings and interacting with professionals and patients of NHS Grampian.

This has included visits to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Woodend Hospital, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital and Royal Cornhill Hospital.

The week will culminate with an event on Friday (27July) during which members of the public will act as volunteer patients so that pupils can undertake simulated nursing practice in the University's own state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Centre.

Those who could not secure a place on the fully-booked Summer School have been able to attend one of the Nursing Taster Days, also held at the University on Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 July. Eighteen pupils from Aberdeen City and Shire, Moray and West Lothian attended the days, which included a presentation where pupils received certificates of attendance.

Nursing Summer School 2012 2The Summer School and taster days have been designed to engage with young people who are making career choices by providing them with an experience of nurse education and practice which is realistic, informative and fun. This theme is also at the core of an Autumn nursing school which is set to be hosted by the university in October.

Professor Brian Webster, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery explained: "The Summer School provides local teenagers and those from further afield, with the knowledge and experiences to help them make informed choices about their future career decisions. NHS Grampian and the University look to encourage those with the aspirations and potential to become health professionals in years to come."

During the new school term, the University will be recruiting for next year's Summer School. Anyone wishing to find out more should contact Margo Learmonth on 01224 262635 or via email at m.learmonth@rgu.ac.uk.

Photo captions

Top right: Professor Brian Webster with the Nursing Summer School 2012 students

Bottom left: Alison West (16) from Mintlaw Academy and Megan Reid (16) from Peterhead Academy get to grips with taking blood pressure readings.

Notes to Editors:

Full list of schools taking part:

Aberdeen City

  • Robert Gordon's College
  • Torry Academy
  • Harlaw Academy

Aberdeenshire

  • Mintlaw Academy
  • Inverurie Academy
  • Ellon Academy
  • Peterhead Academy
  • The Gordon Schools
  • Meldrum Academy
  • Portlethen Academy

Highlands

  • Gairloch High School
  • Thurso High School

Orkney

  • Kirkwall Grammar School

Moray

  • Elgin Academy
  • Keith Grammar
  • Speyside High School
  • Forres Academy

Issued by:

Andrew Youngson
Communications Office
Robert Gordon University
Schoolhill
Aberdeen
AB10 1FR
Tel: 01224 262389
Email: a.c.youngson@rgu.ac.uk

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