Ciarraí explained why she wanted to study nursing:
“I want to complete an Adult Nursing degree at university and then do a Master’s degree to specialise in something more specific.
“This is something I have been inspired to do since completing three placements during my time at Northern Regional College.
“I knew that I wanted to work in health, but being exposed to different placement opportunities helped me decide what my next route would be.”
While Carraí studied at Northern Regional College, she had the opportunity to gain skills during three placements.
One placement she took part in was at The Cottage in Coleraine from Halloween 2019 until March 2020.
The second placement was at Northern Regional College’s Ballymoney campus with additional needs students which lasted until Easter 2021.
During her Level 3 she completed a placement at Bluebird Care in Coleraine where she now works full-time until she leaves for University. This exposed her to lots of different health and social care settings to help her decide what she wanted to move on to.
“During my Level 2 Health & Social Care course, I did a placement in ‘The Cottage’ nursing home in Coleraine.
“More recently, at Bluebird Care in Coleraine I have worked with people who have additional need requirements. All three placements I completed were very different, explosing me to different experiences and testing my skillset.
Ciarraí acknowledged that the support she received from staff had helped her secure her place at university to study nursing:
When asked how Northern Regional College helped her in making it to University, she said there were two tutors in particular who were there to support her during every step of the way.
“I couldn’t have completed the courses without the support of my lecturers, particularly Mary Curran and Kate Pegram. They supported me every step of the way and really helped me get the grades I needed to succeed.”
Northern Regional College offers a range of full time and part time higher and further education courses, from entry level up to Foundation Degree, as well as Higher Level Apprenticeships, apprenticeships and traineeships. The College also offers an Access courses which provide mature students with an alternative progression route to higher education.