Internship Review at NHS

The Role

Role Description

I had to gather information on activity within the organisation from clinical specialties. This involved making contact and arranging times to get this information from senior consultants, then inputting this data into a file for analysis. I also did some tracking work on patient pathways, questionnaires and product supplies to theatres.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

During my placement I had significant responsibilities that directly contributed towards the health group's workload. It was challenging but greatly rewarding. I learnt a great deal about the organisation and how to work within it.

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

I was not really treated as an intern, more like a regular member of the team. This had advantages as I undertook responsible and important tasks whilst managing my own workload, a disadvantage was that I did not really get feedback on how I was doing. There was an interest in a new face from the directors of the Trust, which made me feel noticed and welcome.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

I did not get much supervision/input. On one hand this was challenging as I did not always know how to achieve the task I was given. I flagged this using my placement supervision structure, but not much help was offered. As a positive, I was in charge of my own planning and time management, and had to create genuine working relationships of my own. By working with other team members, I obtained different tasks that I would not have got otherwise.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

My level of work was reasonably within my own discretion. I worked longer than the required office hours, in order to achieve my own goals.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I had notable levels of responsibility; my work was used for strategic modelling at a health group level. I was the point of contact for a workstream and took on extra tasks that fed into other projects. At times due to the level of supervision I was given, I felt like I went 'too far' down a work route without some authoritative input; when this happened it was fine as I had made the appropriate decisions, but learnt that I need to seek verification to cover my own conduct.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

In terms of working relationships and discretion for managing your own workload, I have learnt infinite amounts. I was not really given any training for the tasks - more thrown into them, but through my own research and learning I have acquired new skills and abilities.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My role has been extended for an initial period of a few months, continuing with the work that I did whilst on placement

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

The team that I work within are quite a few years older, so at a different stage in their lives. I have not been for lunch or out with any of them. As for other placement students, I was not in the same region as any of them, but have kept in touch with a couple over email.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The city is highly affordable, easy to navigate, very friendly and local.

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars nearby. Though there is not a lot of people with similar style and interests to mine, it is in a way nicer than somewhere busy as it's easy to make friends and see the same people when you are out.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 2/10

Since the beginning of my placement I have been trying to volunteer to visit patients who are on the wards without visitors, have not succeeded with this yet.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

This placement was a great experience in terms of insight to public sector work. I feel like my contribution has made a genuine difference to the organisation and am very committed to the success of it.

Review 75/76 for NHS

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