Alex Collyer BN (Hons) Bachelor of Nursing (Adult and Child), 2015

Hi, I'm Alex Collyer and I studied BN (Hons) Adult and Child Nursing within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

I chose to study at the University of Southampton because it offered a dual-programme which opens up a hundred specialities, spearheads you for jobs in the acute sector and gives the NHS a more flexible workforce.

 

Prior to studying for my BN I worked for South Centre Ambulance Service starting in the Patient Transport Service before moving to the Emergency side. I’m also an Army Reservist and have spent time in Iraq, Kuwait, Gibraltar, the US and Outer Hebrides serving as either a medic or with the Royal Artillery.

I wanted to advance my studies as I could only get a foundation degree in the Ambulance service and if you want to go far in the NHS you really need a bachelor degree. I also wanted to gain experience in more specialities than just pre-hospital care.

Studying at Southampton I receive all the benefits that a Russell Group university affords in a city which is home to a leading regional trauma centre.

Southampton is also home to the Wessex Critical Care programme which gives medical and nursing students the same critical care training from the very start of their careers.

I have also been lucky enough to secure a place on the National Junior Leadership Academy which is a programme to give leadership training to student nurses. This has led to winning a Cavell Leadership Award for which I was given an iPad and scroll from HRH Princess Anne. As part of my award I’m also going to spend the summer working for Jane Cummings the Chief Nursing Officer for England.

As a student nurse I spend half my time on clinical placement and half at the University. Clinical placement helps you decide which speciality you want to work in afterwards if you don’t know before you start the course.

My placement working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with premature babies was as beautiful as it was tiring but being in the University Athletics Team in my first year with a great bunch of people was a real help in easing the pressure.

I have also helped with the ‘Southampton Opportunity’ project where I met students from other courses and heard from alumni who have gone on to be successful. It was really interesting to hear that companies and recognisable organisations had been set up by former Southampton students.

What I most love about the course is working with some amazing and inspirational student nurses. My long term goal is to work in an influential role within the Department of Health – watch this space!