From novice student to frontline care of COVID-19 patients in just 6 months

I remember sitting in the university cafe talking to the cafe staff before my interview. Leah, one of baristas, was so lovely; she said to me: ‘Good luck, I hope you get a place on the course.’ I was so nervous. The interview went well. There were group interviews and then one-to-ones with each of the candidates.

Northumbria University uses values-based recruitment and focuses on adult nursing questions, contemporary issues, and values in nursing, such as the 6 Cs—care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, commitment (NHS England, 2014)—and the 4 Ps—prioritising people, practising effectively, preserving safety and promoting professionalism and trust (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2018).

I started the BSc (Hons) in nursing science (adult) at the university in September 2019. I remember freshers' week vividly because the cohort of 550 students (all fields of nursing), were brought into a big lecture hall to be introduced to the teaching teams. I remember feeling overwhelmed and I may have not returned had it not been for my personal tutor (PT).