The Nurse Cadets scheme helps students decide on a career route into health – including nursing and support-level roles - whilst gaining valuable hands-on experience with patients at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
As part of their course the students must complete placements in different health settings to give them a wide range of experiences. This takes place alongside classroom learning at Carlisle College.
There are currently six Nurse Cadets who are studying on their second year of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care at Carlisle College. The scheme provides a minimum of 100 hours experience at the Cumberland Infirmary. All of the current cadets have applied for UCAS to start on a Nursing degree in September and the experience has been used to enhance their application.
Olivia Phillips, Nurse Cadet at Carlisle College said: “The programme has been great, the ability to combine the theory at Carlisle College with practical hands on experience at the Cumberland Infirmary has really helped my learning and confirmed that this is the right career choice for me”.
Anna Stabler, Deputy Director of Nursing at North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for us to ‘grow our own’ and to work with our future health workers from the earliest possible point. It’s also hugely beneficial for the students as it allows them to get a flavour of the health career path they’d like to take.”
Suzanne Wannop, Curriculum Manager for Health & Social Care at Carlisle College said: “We are delighted to be working with the North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust to help them to develop their future workforce. This is a great example of how Carlisle College can work with employers to meet their future need for qualified staff and help develop skills within the city”.