Holly is currently working as a Healthcare Assistant/ Apprentice Nurse in Paediatrics, where she is completing the first part of her nursing apprenticeship qualification.
Holly first started at CUH as a Business Admin Level 2 apprentice after her mum suggested she applied for the apprenticeship recruitment day to find out more about what apprenticeships were available.
After completing her admin apprenticeship, Holly went into a Band 3 admin role, but realised that she wanted to be in a more clinical role. She applied to become a Healthcare Assistant within Paediatrics and was successful in securing the position. This has now led to her starting on her nursing apprenticeship pathway.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
In my current role as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) on the Children’s Oncology ward, our tasks differ from day to day. However, some of our most common tasks include: regularly stocking up nursing equipment, observations, checking children's output and inputting onto Epic [medical records software], collecting chemotherapy, collecting medications from Pharmacy, taking children to various scans, seeing to any patient buzzers, cleaning bed spaces after a patient has been discharged, collecting blood/platelets, taking samples to the labs and general tidying/upkeep of the ward.
What do you enjoy about your role?
There are many things I enjoy about my role but one of my favourite parts of the job is meeting the incredible families and children we look after. Not a day goes by when I don’t leave work without a reason to smile due to the courageousness, braveness and selflessness of the families and staff I work with.
What sorts of things do you do for the off the job learning aspect of your apprenticeship and does this involve attending college or is it all completed at work?
I attend Anglia Ruskin University one day a week, but pre and post-session, work can be completed at home. I also spend some of my own time working on any tasks I have been given. This is where shift work and having days off in the week comes in handy!
What are your future intentions?
I plan to complete Part 1 of the Nursing Apprenticeship, apply and complete Part 2 and finally qualify and secure a position as a Registered Nurse here at CUH.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
I would advise anyone querying doing an apprenticeship at CUH to go for it! The support from the apprenticeship teams is incredible and the opportunities are endless!
The main theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is skills for life. What are the most important skills for life that you have developed in your role?
I have developed many skills in my role as a healthcare assistant, as every day provides different challenges, however the most valuable lesson I have learnt is to be kind to everyone and appreciate each and every moment.