Annette Welch Bachelor of Nursing, adult branch, Winter 2014

Community nurse

Hi, I'm Annette Welch and I studied Bachelor of Nursing, adult branch within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

I knew wanted to become a nurse, and the Adult Nursing degree forms a reliable pathway to progress into different areas within nursing.

I chose to study at Southampton because of its reputation and quality of teaching, the choice of subjects on offer, convenience and location to where I live. The realisation that I had made the correct decision to study at Southampton was confirmed by the unerring support and assistance given to me by my academic tutor and other tutors following my daughters’ serious car accident at the beginning of my second year.

My main highlight was being shortlisted for a Cavell Nurses Trust award in 2014, which was a really proud moment. Another highlight was presenting at a Mental Health Conference with a team of nursing students and lecturers. We used interactive theatre as an innovative way to engage people in decision making. I could relate to how the actions and decisions taken at particular points could affect someone in my care. As a result of our presentation, the teaching programme was accepted as an entry into the Student Nursing Times Teaching Innovation of the Year Award!

My programme also allowed me to take up a number of additional opportunities which have definitely helped in my personal development.

Participating in the Wessex CCP Conference Day 2013, an inter-professional critical care skills conference, really enhanced my critical care skills through live simulated scenarios and taught sessions. It also gave me more confidence and the ability to carry these skills into practice.

During every placement I got to know the different members of staff from numerous teams and hospitals. Knowing, and keeping in contact with this network of people, has meant that I’ve been able to draw on their expertise when I’ve needed it.

The variety of placements that I undertook gave me a fantastic insight into the different areas of nursing and fuelled me with ideas for my future career. In particular my community placement was very influential and I knew then that this was the area I wanted to work in.

The University of Southampton will feature in my future when I return to do Masters’ modules and possibly even a full Masters’ degree!