Skip to main navigationSkip to main content
The University of Southampton
Health SciencesOur alumni

Llewana Perry Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) Public Health Practice: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN), 2016

Health Visitor

Llewana Perry's Photo

Hi, I'm Llewana Perry and I studied Public Health Practice: Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) at the University of Southampton.

Southampton is a great place to study; there is always loads going on and you can have a great social life as well as studying. From a health perspective, there are several health trusts within Southampton and Hampshire which gave me vast career options and possibilities of gaining experience whilst studying.

 

What made you select the University of Southampton for your postgraduate study?

I completed my degree in Adult Nursing at the University of Southampton prior to my postgraduate study, so knew the campus and Faculty of Health Sciences well. I had a very positive experience during my Nursing degree and knew the lecturers within Health Sciences were supportive and knowledgeable. The University of Southampton is a prestigious University, so I was aware this would make me more attractive to future employers.

What is Southampton like as a place to study?

Southampton is a great place to study; there is always loads going on and you can have a great social life as well as studying. From a health perspective, there are several health trusts within Southampton and Hampshire which gave me vast career options and possibilities of gaining experience whilst studying.

What did you enjoy about the course?

I liked the structure of the course. Although my course was extremely intense, the structure allowed me to be organised. I loved the chance to have an elective placement within a different area so I could have a good comparison of how different areas worked. I also really enjoyed completing my prescribing qualification and gaining vast knowledge from somebody who worked within practice settings.

How useful did you find your clinical placements?

Placement was invaluable for me during this course, every bit of theory I had learnt at University, I was able to transfer to a practice setting. The team I worked with supported me through every step of my training and even supported with academic work if I needed it. The combination of theory and clinical placements is essential in health related study.

What is your current profession?

Health Visitor

How do your experiences of clinical placements support your current profession?

I will often relate back to my experiences of clinical placements to bring new ideas into my current team, or to support me to know how to handle certain experiences as a newly qualified health visitor.

What have been the highlights of your career to date?

Having families tell me what a difference I have made to them and that I have helped them get through a really tough time and be the best parents they can be.

Do you have any plans for your future career progression?

I have a strong interest in teenage parents and perinatal mental health so I would like to move into a more specialised role working with one of these target groups eventually.

What tips would you give to current students looking to start a career in your sector? What could they be doing now to make themselves more employable when they graduate?

Get as much experience within health visiting teams as possible! Also experience in general health promotion topics such as smoking cessation, obesity, perinatal mental health will all improve chances; show your passion for the job!

What advice would you give to a student starting their postgraduate study at Southampton?

Be as organised as possible, the course is so full on and intense that organisation is key! Ensure you have some way of distressing yourself along the way and use your lecturers and colleagues, they will be your biggest asset.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact I have a job where I get to make a difference to children and families lives on a daily basis. I am also very proud of the fact I got a distinction in my postgraduate diploma, even though the course was so challenging!

 

Share this profile Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share this on Weibo
Privacy Settings