Buckinghamshire New University student nurses appeared on last night's evening ITV News to discuss their experiences of working on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic and a new book they contributed to.

Following the launch of Living with Fear: Reflections on Covid-19 last month, ITV camera crews came to the University’s Uxbridge Campus to interview some student nurses and Associate Head of the School of Nursing and Allied Health, Margaret Rioga. You can watch the full clip below.

In the book, a collaboration between the University and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Bucks’ student nurses who joined the frontline whilst finishing their studies describe how their fears inspired them to flourish and grow at a time of national crisis.

One of the nurses who contributed to the book, Estelle Kabia, helped patients at the Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit during the pandemic. She told ITV: “COVID taught me to be the nurse I want to be. It's an unbelievable feeling, I don't think I will ever do anything as big in my whole entire life."

Fellow nurse Ikra Majid did placements at various hospitals in London and Hertfordshire during the pandemic and told ITV that her experiences taught her even more about how important nurses are. She added: “There did get to a point where I thought, why I am I doing this, it’s too much. I didn’t sign up for this pandemic [but] we have to make the best of the situation. As people say, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. I tried to make the sweetest lemonade possible.”

ITV filmed Margaret Rioga giving five of the 481 student nurses from Bucks a short demonstration about resuscitation: Maia Ashby, Kerry Gibson and Melanie Seales took part alongside Estelle and Ikra. Speaking about the student nurses who worked on placement during the summer, Margaret told ITV: “I am so proud of our students and I couldn’t say it any other way. It’s absolutely phenomenal what they went through and what they become as a result of that.”

The book brings together the thoughts of 22 frontline professionals, including clinicians, nurses, therapists, doctors, academics, and people with lived experience of COVID-19, reflecting on what they expected, what they saw, and how this impacted them. The concept of fear is the underlying theme throughout the book, which combines first-hand accounts with academic research and details the clear strategies put in place to make clinical decision-making easier.

The book is available to purchase in paperback and for Kindle. All proceeds will be donated to the CNWL Charitable Fund, which supports staff and service users within the Trust.

STUDENT NURSE PROFILES

• Name: Kerry Gibson
• Course: Nursing (Adult) BSc – Third year
• Hospital and area: Cardiac and Stroke Receiving Unit (CSRU), Wycombe Hospital, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

At first, I was scared of being called up to the frontline because I did not know what to expect and the media didn't help with my nerves. I knew that I needed to step up because time was crucial, and they needed as many bodies to help with the pandemic. I am living in a different country away from home so I felt isolated and scared as I did not know what the future will hold. I was happy I pitched up and joined the extended placement as I learned so many skills, met new people and will remember this experience in years to come. The team I worked with treated me like one of their own and I never felt unwelcomed. The quote of our unit is “one team no specialists” which spoke volumes. It does not matter if you are a student nurse, healthcare assistant, nurse, doctor etc. we are all utilizing our skills for the better good.

Going through the pandemic has made me grow as a student nurse and gain confidence I would never get. If this situation was to happen again, I will hopefully be as nervous or scared and will be able to take it headstrong. If I get through it once, I can do it again. If I was to advise fellow aspiring nurses, I would say no matter how hard a situation may be, smile and laugh because life is too short. Don’t let your fears or worries stop you achieving your dream.

• Name: Melanie Seales
• Course: Children’s Nursing BSc – Third year
• Hospital and area: Children's General Ward, Hillingdon Hospital, Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

When the university contacted us and we had options to opt in to go on the frontline, my initial response was “yes please”. I was really excited to go back into placement. My thought process was, it's better I have an experience during this time, because if it were to happen again at least I have some first-hand experience of it. During my time on the frontline, as I am a children's student nurse, I was able to take my own patients under supervision. I was still able to learn and gather the relevant skills required.

To my fellow aspiring nurses, I will say it may be a little frightening but always remember why you wanted to become a nurse. Those fears will subside and you will soon become confident in your abilities. So, don't be hard on yourself, everything takes time and you won't know everything. Take your time and enjoy it. Most importantly, never be afraid to ask for help, if you feel like you're sinking, speak up they will help.