‘Three Musketeers’ among student nurses helping out at Forth Valley Hospital

Three former Forth Valley College HNC students who progressed onto an Adult Nursing Degree, are helping in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

As the country marks National Nurses Day today (Wednesday) the three student nurses – calling themselves ‘The Three Musketeers’ on their WhatsApp chat - are already showing the commitment, dedication, bravery and professionalism which has epitomised all NHS staff and keyworkers doing their best to save lives and keep us safe.

Joanne Bradford (52) and Beth Baxter (24) both from Bannockburn and Julie Sinclair (37) from Polmont, graduated with a HNC Care and Administrative Practice in October 2019 and are currently in second year studying for their BSc Adult Nursing at the University of Stirling.

The trio, along with almost 400 of their fellow nursing students, have stepped up to the plate with the backing of the university to do their 10/12 week course placement on the frontline in the battle against the pandemic, mainly at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

Joanne, who has worked as a health care assistant in the NHS for 14 years before focussing on becoming a qualified nurse, said: “I volunteered recently to do a couple of shifts on a Covid-19 ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital and let the charge nurse know I would be available if she needed me. She offered me a 12 week contract. It was a no brainer for me to go and offer my services at this time.”

Beth said: “It was also easy for me to volunteer to do shifts right at this moment as an auxiliary nurse and help out on Covid -19 and non-Covid 19 wards, wherever I am needed. It is one massive team with everyone from endoscopy to physiotherapy pitching in to help out as best they can. They are all brilliant.”

Julie added: “Yes it’s frightening, but I am desperate to go and do what I can to help. I know I will be a small part of a team in a pyramid that is doing a great job and if I can do anything to free up more experienced medical professionals to get on with saving lives, then I will.”

Forth Valley College Principal Dr Ken Thomson, said: “We are so proud of Joanne, Beth and Julie and the work they are doing on the front line during this time. I wish them well and know they will inspire more people to look at our care provision and see how it can help them advance their careers.”

Professor Jayne Donaldson, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at the University of Stirling, added: “I am very proud that our dedicated and talented army of student nurses, alongside staff from the University, have stepped forward to support the national effort.

“Our students can take confidence from the training and skills that they’ve learned and honed during their time at the University and Forth Valley College – and I know that they will make a real difference to the coronavirus response and play an important role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of patients.”