Stephanie Todd

What are your top 3 favourite things about Swansea (the city/area)?

1. Nature - Even though Swansea is a large city, there’s still so much nature around from the miles of coastline to huge parks like Singleton Park (both are easy accessible from Singleton Campus).
2. History – Swansea has a fascinating heritage, it used to be nicknamed Copperopolis because it used to be the biggest exporter of copper because of our coal deposits.
3. The architecture – when in the city centre next, don’t forget to look up at the top of the buildings, the facade of the buildings nod to the past, even though the shop windows change and evolve over the years, the upstairs stay the same. Although, for some of them nature is trying to reclaim them. You can also see the streets that were destroyed by the bombings during WW2.

Why did you choose to study your degree at Swansea?
Swansea Bay University Health Board and Hywel Dda University Health Board offer a range of services that, as a student nurse, we get to be a part of.

What is your favourite thing about your course?
I like that on the course is different every day, some days are face-to-face in a lecture hall, some days are online zoom calls, other days are practical workshops. I also like how enthusiastic lecturers are about the topics, many of them have worked as nurses for years, they talk from experience, evidence-based knowledge, and passion about the subject.

What are you planning to do after you graduate / what are you doing following graduation?
After graduation, I am planning to work with Swansea Bay University Health Board as a Registered Nurse and see where my career takes me. I’m still not 100% sure what specialty I would like to go into but, the amazing thing about qualifying as a nurse is that there are so many options to choose from. After gaining experience, I’d like to return to university to complete a Masters.

Would you recommend Swansea University to other students?
Yes, Swansea University is a welcoming and supportive university. The lecturers and staff care about your wellbeing and your success. It’s somewhere that will help be the springboard for your success.

Do you participate in a Swansea University sports team/club?
I don’t, it is one of my regrets, but I keep busy partaking in other university activities such as the Student Leadership Academy (SLA) and being a Student Rep for my cohort.

Have you undertaken a work placement as part of your course (Year in Industry)?
I have nine Clinical Placements over the course of the 3 years which could be in Swansea Bay or Hywel Dda Health Boards. The 9 placements could be in a Hospital Ward, GP surgery, with Community Nurses or in Theatre. You also have the opportunity to arrange Spok Days which allows you to spend the day with another disciplinary such as physiotherapists, consultants, or pharmacists. It’s important to know the vital role the Multi-Disciplinary Team also plays in patient care.

Have you worked part-time during your degree?
Yes, I have been working as a Health Care Support Worker on the BANK while studying. This job role has expanded my knowledge of the Nursing Fundamentals and has improved my confidence on the wards as I didn’t have any care experience before starting the course. I would recommend it to anyone on the course as it helps build confidence in your practice, experience and you can network with other staff while earning extra money.

Have you accessed student support at Swansea University?
Yes, the library has always been available to help with any queries – whether it’s WiFi issues or essay advice.

Do you speak Welsh?
No, but I am learning (Dw i'n dysgu Cymraeg.)