Where are you from?
Gateshead
What is it that you do?
I am a community physiotherapist specialising in palliative care.
Why did you decide to study a Masters'?
It was an opportunity to take academic study to a deeper level and gain experience of research. It was also very important to me that whatever I studied directly related to my area of clinical practice. Health Psychology and palliative care are very closely linked in many ways and I feel that my studies have allowed me to look differently at my practice and the experiences of patients.
Why are you studying part-time?
I studied part time as my workplace agreed to support this. It was very valueable to be able to do clinical practice alongside studies.The pressures of time were far outweighed by the regular opportunities to bring my experiences with patients to the classroom and vice versa. I study 8-20 hours a week. I do 30 hours of clinical work per week. I was able to use my day off for study which was very helpful.
Why Northumbria?
This is where the course I wished to do was offered. Also I have had good experiences studying at NU before. Also it was convenient for me to travel to.
What is it like studying at Northumbria?
Postgraduate study requires you to make links between and accross subject areas. It encourages more creative thinking and gives you the confidence to be critical of your subject.
What is it like studying at Northumbria? What are the different ways you learn on your course?
City campus meets all my requirements as a student. I tended to have lectures and self directed study. The faculty were good at arranging and notifying students regarding guest lectures and permissions to attend lectures at other venues including Newcastle University.
What impressed you most about our academic staff?
Very high calibre of experience and good teaching standards. Passionate about their subject areas. Keen to offer a good 'experience' of being a student on their course.
How accessible do you find our staff?
Very accessible. I feel very at ease with approaching them.
As a postgraduate, part-time student, what aspects of university life are important to you?
IT access at library. Coffee.
If you are currently working, is there the opportunity to apply what you're learning in your current workplace?
Very much so. I think I now see my clinical practice through the goggles of health psychology.
What doors do you think this course will open for you? How will your course help you achieve your career goals/give your career an edge?
Possibly some clinical research in the future particularly fucused on health psychology and pallaitive care.
Have you changed as a person?
I have grown in confidence and I feel that my interest in my clinical practice area has been energised.
What is your advice to prospective students for your course?
I would highly recommend this course especially to practicing AHP's, nurses and doctors.
