Nursing student praised after hospital placement

A University of Bolton student has been honoured for his “commitment and talent” while on placement in a busy Manchester casualty department. Former professional footballer Anthony Lennon, who recently started his second-year on the Adult Nursing Degree, was awarded a certificate of achievement for his placement at the Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) emergency department. Anthony, aged 37, received the award for his exceptional professionalism and dedication as a student nurse in the department. Within minutes of starting his first day, Anthony was involved in dealing with a young man who had been involved in an accident with a lorry and was in cardiac arrest. Jayne Rogers, Sister in the Accident and Emergency department, said she had been impressed by Anthony’s actions. In another incident, he assisted while they opened up a patient’s chest in A&E after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Jayne said: “Anthony didn’t stand back and got fully involved. He has also shown care and compassion to the elderly, mentally unwell and those with drug and alcohol issues. Doctors of all grades have commented on how good he is and how progressed he is for a second-year. Anthony, who was on Leeds Utd’s books, said: “I have always felt that I wanted to do something that involved helping or caring for people. When I was a footballer, I continued my education so I had the qualifications to be able to get into university and I always wanted to get a degree. The small class sizes at Bolton really attracted me and I am loving the course. It just feels so natural to me. I enjoy getting up and want to be there every day. It is great.” Danielle Ellis, Lecturer in Adult Nursing in the university’s Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are all very proud of Anthony. To witness what he did as a nursing student, and yet to react in the way he did, was exceptional. “These placements for our adult nursing students are so important as the hospital staff get to know our students really well, working side-by-side every shift, and the students learn what it is like in a busy department, day-to-day. It is a great opportunity for them and hugely increases their employability.”