Student Profile - Sarah-Jo Gallagher (Adult Nursing)

Sarah-Jo is currently a third year Adult Nursing student. She completed a 12 week placement in the Accident and Emergency Department at Bradford Royal Infirmary whilst in her second year. Sarah-Jo enjoyed it so much that she now works there part time on an agency rota.

"I was fortunate to have such an excellent mentor whilst I was working in A&E on my placement. He had a wide depth of knowledge and had worked in A&E for many years at a range of different hospitals," comments Sarah-Jo. "He also had a real passion for teaching and was prepared to give his time to help students with their learning."

Whilst Sarah-Jo was working in A&E she got the opportunity to witness treatment for a wide range of conditions from fractures and minor injuries, through to much more serious injuries.

"Bradford Royal Infirmary has the third largest Accident and Emergency department in the country, with over 100 nursing staff and although many people perceive that we see a lot of people as a result of drink and drug related injuries, the reality is very different. As Bradford is such an ethnically diverse city, one of the most common conditions is actually asthmatic and chest pain amongst the city's Asian community," says Sarah-Jo.

"I have had so many different learning opportunities and everyone has been so supportive. The department provides students with emotional support and feedback sessions after major incidents and I found that really helpful."

When Sarah-Jo completes her studies, she wants to develop her career within the Accident and Emergency department.

"There are so many opportunities to specialise and to gain new knowledge through learning from peers and staff development," she says.