An exciting insight into NHS careers with Blaise High School

Last week, Bristol WORKS supported a group of year 8 and 9 learners from Blaise High School to learn about the amazing variety of NHS careers and gain hands on experience with practicing crucial skills in the workplace! This experience of work programme is being delivered through funded work from the West of England Combined Authority. 

To kick off the session, Laura and Nimra introduced themselves and provided insight into their careers as a nurse and doctor. Learners were then encouraged to consider what other healthcare jobs are available in the NHS and they then reflected on how their own qualities would be important in these roles. Next, students were split into smaller groups and provided with the chance to get involved in two exciting activities! 

First, Laura challenged our students to take care of a poorly ‘patient’, where they were taken into a hospital simulation room and faced with a realistic mannequin. Staff encouraged the learners to act as if this was a real-life scenario and respond to the patient’s symptoms. We saw some brilliant teamwork from the students, where learners were problem-solving and communicating amazingly together! Both teams had the opportunity to give CPR to the ‘patient’, and we were very impressed by how quickly they learned this crucial skill! Safe to say, the ‘patient’ was in good hands with all these learners. 

Next, Nimra showed the students a range of hospital equipment and we learnt about how to intubate patients and provide them with oxygen masks- both vital skills in healthcare roles! Students also put their newly learnt skills to the test and practiced using this equipment on training mannequins, which they did so brilliantly. These fantastic insights into healthcare left the students feeling enlightened where learners found the session to be ‘inspiring’ and ‘a pleasure to learn CPR’.

Speaking about their time supporting the students during these sessions, the teachers at Blaise High School highlighted that “The hands-on nature was great! Everyone enjoyed taking part and had lots of encouragement by the staff”. 

We would like to say a huge thank you to the NHS staff for their time and for leading such an engaging session, in addition to guiding the students so amazingly through the activities. We would also like to say thank you to the students at Blaise High School, for all of your enthusiasm and wonderful questions!