NRC student on course for nursing career

Grace Thompson has just completed a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at the College (NRC) in Ballymena with a triple Distinction*, the equivalent standard of three A*s at A-level. She secured offers from all five universities she applied to and has accepted a place at Queen’s University Belfast to start an Adult Nursing degree in February, 2021.

Having achieved nine GCSEs at school, Grace progressed to do AS-levels in Biology, Economics, Politics and English Literature, but admitted that because she was unsure about her future plans at that stage, she did not enjoy them.

She said: “Halfway through my lower sixth, I decided to apply to Northern Regional College to do the Health and Social Care Diploma as this was a subject I was interested in and wanted to learn more about. It was the best decision I ever made and I haven’t looked back since the first day I walked through the doors. I’m able to study nursing at university and move a step closer to achieving my dream career.”

She said that her time at the College helped her enjoy learning once again and is already considering going on to study a Master’s when she finishes her undergraduate degree.

Grace attributed her positive experience at the College to a number of factors.

She said: “I made life-long friends and I loved that my lecturers had previously worked in different health and social care settings so they could link the theory we were being taught in class with examples from their own career experiences.

Each lecturer truly wanted us to do well and gave us so much support. They knew how fast-paced and heavy the workload is and supported us throughout the two-year course.

“We were able to experience what it would be like to work in different health and social care settings. This gave us a great insight and a better understanding of the sector, which in turn allowed us to determine which area we wanted to pursue and study at a higher level. I completed placements in addiction centres, nursing homes, Belfast City Hospital theatres, the cancer centre and spent time with radiologists in a radiography suite. By doing this, I was able to see that I really wanted to become a nurse.”

Grace said that another important element of the course and one that will stand in good stead when she goes to university was the emphasis on independent study needed to achieve Distinction level work. “The course content has given me an incredible foundation to build on as I start my Nursing degree, so I feel I’ll have much less anxiety going to university now than if I’d finished my A-levels,” she said.

Nadia Ghalami, course co-ordinator of the Level 3 Health & Social Care Course at Ballymena, said Grace’s positive attitude and high level of motivation had contributed to her success.

Places are still available on a number of Health and Social Care courses at NRC (www.nrc.ac.uk)