A group of students recently travelled to Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus, to attend the Health Alive event. It was great to be welcomed back into the university’s healthcare campus to explore their facilities and take part in workshops around a range of healthcare professions. 

The day began with an engaging introduction to the university’s commitment to excellence in healthcare education, setting the tone for the day ahead. The students were welcomed by enthusiastic faculty members who shared insights into the diverse healthcare courses offered at the university. Students from Northumbria’s healthcare courses were also available to talk to our students about their journeys to choosing a healthcare career. All strands of nursing were represented, alongside Operating Department Practice and Midwifery. 

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the interactive sessions that allowed students to get hands-on experience in simulated healthcare environments. The state-of-the-art facilities replicated real-world scenarios, providing a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of healthcare professions. The students experienced some of the training activities that they would do on the course, including palpating a SIM woman’s abdomen to identify the way a baby was lying and intubating a patient ready for surgery. 

For some, the trip confirmed an existing desire to pursue a specific healthcare role while others had their eyes opened to new opportunities. We all came away with an appreciation of the challenges and rewards of studying these programmes. Similar opportunities at other local universities will be available to students next year and advertised in the student briefing notes.