During a visit to Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, we caught up with two of our incredible students currently on placement there— Charlotte, a first year Midwifery student, and Steve, currently in his 2nd year studying Adult Nursing.
Both Charlotte and Steve are gaining invaluable hands-on experience at one of our key partner hospitals, and took some time to share their tips, reflections, and standout moments from life on the wards.
We asked them both to sum up their placement journey in just three words. For Charlotte, the experience has been “magical, an experience, and amazing.” She explained how the sense of community among the midwifery team has played a huge part in shaping her time there. “It’s a really small community here in Midwifery,” she said. “This makes it easier to build strong relationships with the midwives and learn a lot from them.”
Steve, whose placement sees him rotate across various departments, described the atmosphere as “caring, compassionate, professional.”
"Blackpool doesn’t just have the local population, we also get the influx of tourist trade as well, which keeps things exciting with something different every day."
— Steve Arnall- BSc Adult Nursing
Placements like these are a core part of our approach to preparing Nursing and Midwifery students for their future careers. They provide not just technical training, but the chance to build confidence, resilience, and real relationships in the healthcare community and within their local trusts.
So what advice would they give to students just starting out?
Charlotte recommends making the most of every opportunity to connect with your placement team. “Always speak to the midwives on placement and build that relationship with them,” she said. “Remember, they’ve been in your position too and know exactly how you’re feeling at the start. so ask lots of questions! Also, make the most of your PEF team, they’re there to support you.”
Steve kept it simple but practical. “Always bring a packed lunch! It can be pricey as a student buying lunch at the hospitals every day.”
Whether it’s the warm welcome of the midwifery community or the fast-paced variety of nursing placements, both students clearly value their time at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and have been making the most of every shift.
As Charlotte and Steve keep learning and gaining experience, it’s clear that doing placements like this isn’t just about learning, it’s about growing, building confidence, and getting ready for a great future.
