Published on 10 May 2018
She may only be a little way into her university life but Cassie Hicks is already making a big impression.
The University of Sunderland nursing student has always loved working with people and it would seem she is ideally suited to her chosen vocation.
After opting to study Adult Nursing Practice Cassie was just a few weeks into her programme when she was placed at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
The 19 year old proved the perfect tonic for patients on Ward 20, and with her caring attitude and attention to detail she won over staff too.
In fact Cassie impressed so much she was nominated by her colleagues for a Personal Touch Award which recognises staff from the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who excel in their role.
“One of the nurses from Ward 20 nominated me, which was lovely. Some people get nominated for specific things they have done but I was told it was just because of the way I am with the patients and the caring attitude that I show.”
Cassie started on Ward 20, an orthopaedic and rheumatology ward, in November last year and worked at the hospital while studying at the University.
She added: “It has been full on. But I love it. It’s fantastic just getting some practical on-the-job experience under your belt.
“I am now just starting a new placement, this time on Ward Eight which will run for the next eight weeks.”
Despite only being in the first year of her three year degree, Cassie already knows she made the right decision coming to the University of Sunderland.
She added: “I knew I wanted to do nursing and when I saw the type of things that were available at Sunderland, like the Living Lab and the various simulation facilities, I decided it was the place for me.”
The University’s Nursing courses are in the top five in the UK according to The Guardian University league tables 2018.
Megan Curry, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Link Tutor in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing at the University of Sunderland, said: “Cassie is an enthusiastic student, a pleasure to work with.
“She has a lovely nature and relates well to staff and patients. She is a student who works hard and strives to be the best student nurse she can be always demonstrating the 6Cs. She will be an excellent nurse upon qualifying.”
Julie Warriner, Senior Sister on Ward 20 at the Freeman Hospital, said: “Cassie is a lovely student and so easy going.
“She is quite refreshing with her easy ability to speak to anyone and it is lovely to see a genuinely enthusiastic student who is willing to help any patient or staff member as well as ask questions for her learning pathway. Whilst she was here she slotted into the ward team very well and often the patients would ask when would she be back on duty.
“I do hope that she will be able to come back to the ward at another point during her training.”