Chloe

Where did you do your work experience?

Liverpool

What did you do?

While at work experience I was not able to go to a specific department because I was under sixteen years of age. However, I was put onto ward 1 where I was allowed to do lots of observational work, some practical work, administration work, shadowing, going to departments, running errands, cleaning and serving patients.

What did you enjoy most?

I enjoyed practical work the most. Even though what I could do was very limited it was great to do something hands on. (I was allowed to carry out "Obs" - taking blood pressure, temperature, BP etc.). I also enjoyed observing and going to different departments because I could learn from practical things that I couldn't do.

What did you learn?

I learned about the many jobs in the NHS, the general day in the hospital, I also learnt about specific things about medicine, i.e. how machines work, what happens in certain departments, how different tests are done and facts about certain medicines. But most importantly I discovered how hard and stressful it can be to be involved, how closely everyone works together and how important it is put everything aside for the sole care of the patients.

Do you have any advice for other people?

Yes, I advise people who are looking to work in a hospital for their career, to gain some experience first. Working in a hospital can either make you or break you, bringing you to your decision on whether medicine/ health care is your muse.