Billy’s joy at being a student nursing associate

A Sanctuary Care student nursing associate has loved his latest work placement at a scheme for people with learning disabilities, with glowing feedback from the team.

Billy Pattison, who works at our Fernihurst Nursing Home in Exmouth, said of his placement at Brunel House in Plymouth: “The team were amazing and the way they support and help the people who live there was just incredible to see.”

And the feeling was mutual with Directors of Alpha Care, Gemma and Katie, which runs the scheme saying: “Billy joined us for a week and wow – he has brought so much laughter to the home and both the staff and our individuals have LOVED having him.”

Billy, who will graduate next summer, is our fourth student nursing associate to enjoy a work placement at the scheme recently.

Joining Fernihurst as a domestic and kitchen assistant in 2015, Billy took on the roles of care assistant and then senior carer. He quickly realised his passion was nursing, so grabbed the opportunity to do the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme, which is fully funded by Sanctuary Care, with both hands!

The programme teaches our student nursing associates vital clinical skills, so that they can support the nurses in their homes, bridging that gap between care and nursing roles. Billy also studies one day a week at the University of Plymouth, applying everything he learns at university into his role at the home.

He said of the programme: “I love being able to support with both care and nursing roles. I feel excited about the future and this feels like the right career path for me.”

For information about working for Sanctuary Care, please visit our recruitment page.