A passionate Wisbech nursing student will be going for gold when she competes at the National World Skills Final later this week.
Shaney Sloan, 18, is one of the top eight Health and Social Care students in the country and has been selected to take part in the final at The Birmingham NEC, which runs from Thursday to Saturday.
To ensure she is ready, Miss Sloan has been working with her tutors at the College of West Anglia, where is she is working towards a Nursing/Paramedic diploma, and Practice Development Nurses at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
If she is successful, the 18-year-old could win a place at the European Finals, which will be held in Russia.
Miss Sloan, who also works in a care home, has her sights set on a career in nursing.
She said: “Making it to the finals is life changing and has opened up so many doors for me.
“I am extremely grateful to those which have supported me on this journey. It has expanded my knowledge, skills and even boosted my confidence hugely.”
During the competition, she will have to demonstrate clinical skills along with her knowledge of care and dignity principles.
Since September, Miss Sloan has been learning about stoma care, mental health and wound dressing with nursing teams at the hospital.
Miss Sloan, who has also thanked her tutor Ann Compton, said: “They have all boosted my confidence and helped me to realise that being a nurse is my future.
“They’ve provided me with more knowledge and skills and helped me to achieve remarkable things within just a few months. I don’t just hope to become a nurse, I hope to become a great nurse.”
The College of West Anglia’s Principal David Pomfret said: “To reach the UK finals of Worldskills is a huge achievement and Shaney should be really proud of herself. Every year we look forward to seeing CWA students compete at the NEC. This is a fantastic experience for our learners and I wish Shaney and every one of this year’s CWA competitors the very best of luck.”
One of the people who has worked with Miss Sloan is Practice Development Nurse Julia Saunders.
She said: “Shaney has been an excellent ambassador for the college. All the staff have admired her enthusiasm towards developing her skills and knowledge. She has taken on board all the constructive and used it positively to learn and to develop.
“Overall Shaney has not only embraced but risen to the challenge and challenged us. Taking everything she can from the opportunity to work with such a variety of health care professionals and represent Kings Lynn at the national level.”
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Shaney Sloan is pictured with nurses Gill Skipper, Melanie Claxton, Penny Doy and Julia Saunders with Apprenticeship Programme Coordinator Amy Haynes.
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