Jamie Gage is 20 and studying for a BTEC qualification in Health and Social Care at Hillsborough College, prior to embarking on a nursing degree at the University of Sheffield. Now she also has a weekly placement on our In Patient Unit.
“Initially I was thinking I wanted to do something in midwifery or neo natal care, but then this opportunity came up to work at St Luke’s,” she says.
“My dad has been seriously ill and is now permanently in a care home, so I’ve become increasingly interested in that sort of work and St Luke’s seems like the ideal placement.”
That said, Jamie concedes that she did have some misgivings when the opportunity to work with the St Luke’s team first came up.
“Like a lot of people, I imagined working in a hospice would be all doom and gloom, but I was completely wrong. Everybody here is really happy and the hospice is light and spacious with lots of resources, not only for the patients but for their families too. It’s far more family orientated that I thought it would be!”
Jamie spends three days a week studying at Hillsborough College and also has a job at Endcliffe Park Café, but she is determined that there is still time for her weekly placement at the hospice.
“I do enjoy the challenge!” she laughs. “I’m always happiest when I’m busy and have lots to do. Everybody has made me so welcome and I know I’m going to learn a lot during my time on the In Patient Unit.”
