A STUDENT nurse has joined the fight against Coronavirus by starting her role early at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Laura Weston, a final year student from Worcester University, has chosen to carry out her final months of her course on placement to help fight Covid-19.

The 23-year-old said: “I felt terrified when I opted in, but knew it was the right thing to do for myself, to support other students and staff, the hospital and NHS as a whole and most importantly, be another pair of hands to try and save lives.

“I was inspired to opt in because as a nation we’ve seen how many deaths there have been. We're being thrown into the middle of it all.

“It’s made me grateful for everything and makes me realise that once we all come out of this virus, we should be grateful of what we have and be kinder people, respect what we have and not advantage of things we did before.

“Although it's a very strange environment to begin my career in, it’s hopefully a once in a lifetime experience and will hopefully make me a better nurse for the years to come.”

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Laura will continue with her academic studies by completing her exams and dissertation, as well as work at the hospital.

She added: “It’s extremely hard but we have to keep our chins up and carry on. I’m trying to get my dissertation completed in the next two weeks between training days for the trust so I don’t have to juggle with it whilst working long hours.

“I am truly grateful how supportive the university has been. Mental health and physical health is really hard to uphold in these times however, the university is there to fast track us frontline workers with support if required.

“I was scared when this virus came to the UK but I cannot express how proud I am and empowered to be a nurse, at the university, about to join our local NHS trust and save lives. The NHS truly is an amazing service.

“It’s six months earlier than planned, but I’m so excited for this adventure and I am proud to be helping out during this crisis.”