Medical and nursing students volunteer to enhance learning and skills

People have many different reasons to volunteer with us – from wanting to give something back to the NHS or because they have been inspired when meeting some of our volunteers at events. However for many volunteers it allows them to add additional skills and experience to their CV’s in preparation for job searching – and this is especially true for our CFRs who are studying for a range of medical degrees at local universities.

In West Hampshire there is an active team of around 20 medical and nursing students from University of Southampton who are trained as CFRs. Being able to respond around their studies allows them to experience pre-hospital emergency medicine first hand, and their CFR skills are transferable to their medical studies.

Medical and nursing students are taught the value of taking a “social history” from every patient, and volunteering with SCAS gives them a better understanding of patients diverse support networks, living conditions and an understanding of the work of Ambulance Trusts and the care patients receive before attending hospitals.

James Brew, CFR Coordinator for Hampshire Medical Students, said “As a scheme we are looking forward to recruiting and mentoring a new intake of 10 medical and nursing students who are current Year 1 / 2 at University of Southampton very soon. We enjoy engaging with potential new student CFRs and explaining the merits that this volunteering opportunity has for all involved.”

If you are a University Student and would like to find out if we have a scheme at your University please send an email to info@sca-charity.org.uk