Chitoro Uzoma Ihejirika - Nursing Associate Apprenticeship
Winner of the Chief Nursing Officer Support Worker Excellence (CNOSWE) Award.
Where are you from, and which course did you choose to study?
I moved to London from Lagos State, Nigeria, 13 years ago, and the course I studied at LSBU was Mental Health Nursing.
Please tell us about your Student of the Year award.
The Chief Nursing Officer Support Worker Excellence (CNOSWE) Award was awarded to me by NHS England in recognition of my vital contributions towards ensuring the highest standard of patient care. My spirit of collaboration and consistently supporting staff, patients and carers fostered a cohesive and efficient working environment for everyone. As a Healthcare support Worker, I have greatly impacted care outcomes for people who use our services through my support of nursing and midwifery practice in the United Kingdom.
Why did you choose LSBU?
I chose LSBU because of its rich and robust history of supporting apprenticeships Programme for beginners from different backgrounds and races. LSBU is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom, known for its multicultural diversity. LSBU facilities are the best in the UK, is centrally located in London and is easily accessible from any part of the city.
What was your inspiration or reason to study this subject?
My desire to care for people who need support with mental health disorders inspired me to study Nursing.
Tell me about how the course lecturers have supported you?
The course lecturers were excellent and thoroughly knowledgeable about the topics. Supported me by signposting me to where I could access materials in the library, and sometimes provided support with one-on-one Online Teams teaching if I didn’t understand certain topics well in the classroom.
What kind of new technologies and equipment have you learned about in your course?
Two-person bag-mask ventilation during CPR, AED Defibrillation during resuscitation in an immediate life support situation. I also used the ECG machine and how to place the 12 Lead on the chest, wrists, and ankles to capture the heart's electrical signals.
What skills have you learned or developed at LSBU?
Leadership and conflict resolution skills were developed at LSBU. I have developed self-awareness and communication skills, which are paramount for my role as a Nurse who cares for people who have a mental health disability.
Where do you see yourself in the future, and what are your goals?
Becoming a senior manager in a healthcare setting, such as mental health. My goals include advancing to a Band 5 Registered Mental Health Nurse role from my current Band 4 position and subsequently pursuing further education to become a senior manager at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM).
Do you have a work experience placement, and where are you working?
The thing I am enjoying most about my work placement is the new learning I have acquired, such as giving intramuscular injections (IM) and subcutaneous injections. I currently work in Johnson Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit [PICU] at the Ladywell Unit in Lewisham Hospital, London. I had my placement experience at King’s College Hospital.
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at LSBU?
The best thing about my experience at LSBU was the facilities where you can study and the recreational activities, like the gym and student forums. One of the best universities in the United Kingdom, known for its multicultural diversity.