Earlier this year, two Year 12 students, Kylie W and Steffi N, took part in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital’s (RBWH’s) work experience program. Both Kylie and Steffi are looking to work in the Health profession after they graduate this year and used the opportunity to see what their day-to-day work life would look like. Below, the girls share more about their experiences.
Reflecting on my time at the RBWH
Kylie W – Year 12 student (2018)
In the September school holidays, I was given the opportunity to partake in work experience for Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. The four-day program included ward visits and two days of following a buddy nurse or midwife as they completed their rounds.
I was lucky enough to spend a day with a midwife in the Maternity ward, working with new mothers and babies post birth. This was a highlight for me. The next day I accompanied a buddy nurse in the General Surgical ward. There, we saw a wide range of patients before and after surgeries.
The work experience program, overall, was a fantastic experience! I could not recommend it enough for anyone who is interested in studying a Nursing and Midwifery course, or who would like to experience a hospital environment.
Hands-on in Nursing and Midwifery
Steffi N – Year 12 student (2018)
The Nursing and Midwifery work experience program at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital gave me a great insight into the functioning of the hospital, as well as the roles of different healthcare professionals. During the first few days of the program, I learnt about the history of the hospital and general health and safety measures. I also got to tour the Pathology Museum, which was filled with interesting real human body parts, and the main sections of the hospital (including the Emergency Department, the ICU, the Maternity ward and the Surgical ward).
On the last two days of the program, I was placed in the Neuro/Stroke ward and the Oncology ward. There, I got to interact with patients and meet different doctors and healthcare professionals. The Nursing and Midwifery work experience program was eye-opening and, I feel, highly beneficial for my future career decisions. Being directly involved in hospital situations and processes allowed me to ask experienced practitioners questions and gain both practical and theoretical knowledge about how to work with patients in the field of Health.
Why Work Experience?
Work experience programs are extremely valuable for students as they begin to choose their future direction. At St Peters, we look to assist our students in gaining as many opportunities as they can. For more information about St Peters work experience programs, please contact the Careers Counsellor, Jacquelene Estevao: j.estevao@stpeters.qld.edu.au.