Raigmore Primary pupils explore the nursing way
PUPILS from an Inverness primary school enjoyed a day learning about nursing jobs at a college event.
Twenty-three P3 children from Raigmore Primary gathered at the Centre for Health Science for sessions on CPR, exercise, midwifery and handwashing.
The pupils had the opportunity to try on mini nurse uniforms and at the end of the day were presented with a graduation certificate by Iona McGauran, lead nurse for Raigmore Hospital.
The Small Uniforms event, organised by the University of the Highlands and Islands and NHS Highland, aimed to provide a taste of what it is like to be a nurse and to promote the profession as a rewarding career option.
The initiative is part of the Scottish future nurse and midwife programme developed by NHS Education for Scotland to shine a light on careers in this area, to address stereotypes and to tackle gender imbalance within the vocation.
Professor Annetta Smith, head of nursing at the University of the Highlands and Islands, said: “The World Health Organisation has designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife and it’s important for us to engage young people at every stage of their school journey to raise awareness of the potential for exciting nursing and midwifery careers.”
Heidi May, NHS Highland Board nurse director, said: “I was delighted to present the doctors, nurses and midwives of the future with their graduation certificates.
“As a rural health board, it is vitally important we grow our own talent here in Highland and this project is an ideal platform to encourage youngsters to consider a career in health and social care.
“Projects such as these will play a crucial role in attracting young people to work as healthcare professionals.”
Autumn Macaulay, head teacher at Raigmore Primary, said: “This is a wonderful project.
“It has given the children a unique opportunity to find out more about the skills needed to be a nurse in a practical and fun way.
“It promotes positive destinations available here in NHS Highland and strengthens our partnership with the University of the Highlands and Islands.”
The University of the Highlands and Islands offers a range of health-related courses, including degrees in adult nursing, mental health nursing and psychology.
It also launched an innovative pre-registration shortened midwifery programme in 2018.
* For more information about health courses at the university, visit www.uhi.ac.uk
