NURSE MAKES THE MOST OF MATERNITY LEAVE TO LEARN NEW SKILLS

Image caption: Chloe McIntosh with newborn, Lucie

A staff nurse with the NHS Leicester Partnership Trust and first-time mum has been learning about childhood illnesses remotely to help her look after her new baby daughter. Chloe McIntosh, 29, from Hinckley has been making the most of her maternity leave by taking a distance learning course with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

Chloe was 36 weeks pregnant when she started the course in ‘Understanding Common Childhood Illnesses’ which leads to a Level 2 qualification and can be studied entirely from home.

Chloe said, “Distance learning seemed to me a great use of time, especially now during the coronavirus lockdown. It was really important to me to learn about some of the most common childhood illnesses so that I am able to recognise if my baby is unwell, or how to deal with an accident. The course was free, and I didn’t need to go into college at all. I signed up online and completed all the work at home using workbooks that were delivered by post. The course is ideal for families, or for anyone working with babies and young children.”

Chloe looks after adults’ mental and physical health in her role with the NHS Leicester Partnership Trust. However, she does occasionally work on children’s wards and has gained newfound confidence when supporting young patients.

Chloe said, “The course modules include understanding how infection is spread and how to minimise cross-infection, and it also covers allergies and food intolerances.

“I was given the option to complete the course online or using hard copy workbooks. Personally, I prefer to write things down when I am learning as I find it easier to concentrate. I do have a laptop but it’s so old I thought it would probably be too slow. I can complete the workbooks in my own time, fitting in my studies around looking after Lucie. I am always busy because my partner is in the Army and is often away from home.

“I can contact my assessor at any time if I have any questions and she is really flexible and happy to help me if struggle with anything or need any extra guidance. After I have posted back a workbook, I receive my feedback within a couple of days via email. I am given plenty of time to amend my work and re-submit it, either online or in the workbook as before.

“Courses like these are a great way of using maternity leave productively and this course, in particular, has helped me to become more confident in looking after my baby as a first-time mum. I plan to keep the information books and refer to them in the future if she is ever unwell. I am also pleased to have gained a recognised qualification which will be useful on my CV in the future.

“I would recommend anyone who has some free time to give distance learning a try. They are easy to complete, fit in around day to day life, and there is a wide variety of interesting subjects to choose from.”

To follow a distance learning course with NWSLC, you must be a British EU or EEA a citizen, have been a permanent resident of the UK, EU or EEA for the whole of the previous three years and be over 19. If you are aged between 19 and 23, you must already hold a Level 2 qualification. If you choose to complete the course online, you will need a computer or a laptop and access to the internet. If not, you will just need writing materials for the postal work booklet.

Click here to discover more.