A LONGBRIDGE woman who used to be a beauty therapist has trained as a nurse and joined the frontline fight against Coronavirus.
Becky Shuck, who started her six-month placement on an acute medical ward at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital, said although the role is paid she would have happily volunteered her services.
“The reason I came into nursing was I wanted to make a difference.
“I have been itching to get out there and provide care for people – that’s the most important thing for me.
“I’m scared and anxious, but I’m glad I can do something to help in this pandemic.
“As a student, we’re not going to come across anything like this again.
“It’s a really good learning opportunity that will help with my skills as a nurse as well as helping out in our communities with ill patients.”
The 27-year-old third year Adult Nursing student has been working as a healthcare assistant at the Alexandra Hospital until now.
The role means more responsibility and Becky said she feels well prepared.
She is a former pupil at St Thomas Aquinas RC School in Kings Norton and is one of 200 student nurses from the University of Worcester joining the frontline.
She added: “At the moment my patients aren’t allowed any visitors which is quite sad and hard.
“For me it’s talking and making sure that they know that people are there for them, and even though we’re not their family members, that we care.”
Becky said she had been moved by the public’s response to the NHS, carers and other key workers.
“A lot of friends and family on social media pages have messaged me saying thank you and a few people I know personally have made me things like a wash bag and headbands so the masks don’t dig into my ears, so that’s been nice as I had not expected anything.
“To hear people clapping and hitting their pots and pans is really nice.
“The first time it happened I literally nearly cried, I felt so emotional. I felt like finally we’re getting the recognition we deserve.
Last week I was on a night shift and there were ambulances outside the Alex and everyone was clapping while I was on the ward.
“I didn’t go out, but I heard it.
“It’s really nice that the nation is getting behind the NHS.”
Becky became a beauty therapist after leaving school at 16 but when she was 24 a family member was in hospital long-term and it inspired her to take up the profession she is now in.
“I visited every day and saw some really good nursing care and things I thought could be changed as an outsider looking in. I wanted to be part of that.”
She chose Worcester after an Open Day visit, despite the distance.
“The tutors were so friendly and I felt it was my home.
“As an older learner I felt that they would be able to support my academic needs.
“Without the support of the University and tutors I wouldn’t have got through these other two years.”
She hopes to eventually to nurse people with cancer or work in palliative care.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]
