Liam

Where did you do your work experience?

Stoke-On-Trent

What did you do?

I spent a week in the endoscopy department for my Year 10 work experience. I got to do all kinds of things from booking patients in to watching a procedure being performed and discharging patients. I shadowed nurses and sometimes a doctor around the hospital, and interacted with staff at different grades.

I cleaned beds, and watched cannulas being put in/taken out. I was shown how to communicate with patients and record their vital signs, and about the importance of being able to trace equipment used during procedures.

What did you enjoy most?

I really enjoyed watching the procedure and caring for the patient in recovery afterwards.

I also liked helping discharge patients. Some of them had been in hospital a long time and it was great seeing their happy faces when they were going home.

And I liked wearing my own name badge and uniform!

What did you learn?

I learnt that a lot of hard work is needed to work in the NHS. I also learnt about the different professions that I could work in, which I didn't even know about. The nurses gave me a lot of advice about my options and what I would have to do to work in different professions.

I also learnt about the importance of patient confidentiality.

Do you have any advice for other people?

Don't be nervous to ask about getting work experience. Everyone is friendly and happy to help.