Nursing students get a ‘fireman’s lift’ with emergency learning

Nursing students gained valuable insight about how to provide better care for patients involved in car accidents, by visiting a local fire and rescue team.

Five students visited Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Wellingborough station to learn more about their work and gain more understanding about the traumatic experiences patients might encounter.

Dressed in firefighting gear, they were walked through the various vehicles and equipment fire service professionals use and discussions about other services the crew provide, including animal and water rescue.

The day also included being cut out of a car in a controlled road traffic collision scenario, giving them valuable insight to take back to the wards.

Student Nicole Elliott said: “I am currently on placement in A&E and it was great to have the opportunity to participate in the trauma day at Wellingborough fire station. It provided me an insight into our patients’ journey before arriving at the hospital. Being the RTC ‘victim’ first hand and getting cut from the car allowed us to see, hear and feel how the emergency services assist their patients.

“To feel how scary the noises are of the cutting equipment and how claustrophobic it felt being covered up made you understand why a person would have higher anxiety levels, especially with a spinal injury when they arrive in A&E. This experience has allowed us to take away this awareness and conduct our nursing duties more sensitively to ensure to patients trauma journey is managed effectively.”

Fellow student Kerry Dalby added: “I was honoured to train with the Wellingborough firefighters. The opportunity has given me an insight as to what RTC victims experience before nurses see them. This has made me aware of what they have already gone through and the feelings they may already have. I can honestly say this has changed the way I will nurse going forward.”

Pictured in the main image from left to right are: Firefighter Hayden Masters, Adult Student Nurse Nicole Elliot, Adult Student Nurse Kelly King, Adult Nursing student Joanna Buchanon, Children’s and Young People Nursing student Emma Hall, C&YP Student Nurse Kerry Dalby and Firefighter Dan O’Neill.