Stacey started working as a Healthcare Assistant four years ago on an acute female ward and, in her words, “fell in love with it.” She decided to do an access course and train to become a nurse.

Nursing is fast paced and challenging, but I like the fact that the smallest things can make the difference to somebody’s day. I am naturally empathetic which helps me support people when they are at their most vulnerable,”

she explains.

Stacey gives the example of being on placement at a nursing home, and being asked to sit with a dying man while his wife went home to get her overnight things, as they set up a camp bed so that she could sleep next to him for the last time.

You can get bogged down with the politics, practicalities, policies and procedures but the things that have the biggest impact are often basic human kindness and making the time to listen,”

she says.

Lauren - recently nominated for the Nursing Times Student Mental Health Nurse of the Year - chose to go into mental health nursing because she has known people who have struggled with this area. She really wanted to care for people.

While on placement in her first year, a patient told her that she was finding some of the therapeutic activities, such as finger painting, a bit childish.

In response, Lauren created a therapeutic tool to help get to know patients better. It is a set of cards featuring basic information about all the countries in the world. The patient lays them all out and goes through them, a calming activity for someone who is feeling confused and unwell.

I realised how many patients have immigrated to the UK, their English can be quite broken, and they struggle to communicate with staff. They are in crisis and need to talk about what they are going through.”

The cards have been useful on all her placements, and she is currently making more sets with different themes.

Nursing is very rewarding, and you learn a lot about yourself and others. I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can do to help get to know patients better,”

she says.

Lauren and Stacey have both shown commitment, compassion, and dedication as student nurses. I am confident that as they graduate, they will both have a profound impact on patient care,”

says Senior Lecturer and Professional Lead for Mental Health Nursing Anna Impey.

• Find out more about studying Nursing (pre registration) at UWL