Student Nurses: Bedpans and Bandages

Episode 1 (1x1)

Air date: Feb 14, 2014

Episode one follows three trainee nurses stepping up to the challenge of 21st century nursing as they deal with mounting pressure, a testing youngster and first day nerves. The programme follows 24-year-old first-year student Alistair, one of the growing number of men taking on the challenge of becoming a nurse. Alistair reveals how he feels about entering the world of nursing: “Bricking it. I’m pretty scared to be honest. I’m not used to being around so many women all the time.” It’s a world away from the job Alistair was trained to do by his Dad. But Alistair is preparing to swap his regular pay cheque as a carpet-fitter for a different type of reward. Alastair says: “You won’t save lives fitting carpets. But if I can save one life being a nurse, then what an achievement that is in life.” He adds: “I’m not here for the money, I’m here for that reward that comes with nursing.” This episode sees Alistair set foot on the ward for the very first time, after two months in the classroom. A nervous Alistair says: “I’m worried most about how I’ll react to people in such poor condition or people who seriously need help. I’ve never seen it before, so I think it’ll be quite a shock to the system.” As Alastair tackles the challenges his first patient brings, he says: “I feel personally as if I’ve got a lot to prove, as the rest of the cohort have got quite a bit of experience in health care.” The programme also follows mature student, 50-year-old Dany, who is picking up a career she first began training for three decades ago. She admits: “When I started at 19, I was nothing like I am now. I was shy, I wouldn’t have said boo to a goose.” Dany’s first shot at nursing was cut short by illness, but her teenage dream never left her. She says: “Thirty years later, for it to come full circle, I just can’t believe I’m back doing what I started.” Training to become a