She said: 鈥淚 decided I wanted to work with children when I was studying for my 鈥楢鈥� levels. I love working with kids. The Diploma was hard work at first, but some of the areas were really enjoyable. One example was a clinical attachment, where we visited families who had a child with a chronic illness. Students gained permission from three families in the community and arranged to visit them over a period of three weeks. We looked at how families coped with diagnosis and how they became stronger as a family.
鈥淚t was difficult but so rewarding, you saw children as individuals. Placements in other hospitals were also valuable, such as Sunderland Royal Hospitals鈥� Neo-Natal Unit and in the same unit at the University Hospital of North Tees. In addition to the placements I鈥檓 also more computer literate.鈥�
Natalie gained her job following her first interview. 鈥淚 was really pleased to get the post as the interview was quite tough. My parents Marie and Jackson are really proud, they鈥檒l be going to my graduation, I can鈥檛 keep them away!鈥�