Experiences of a Nursing student placement at the Clinic
July 2023: Calum Scoular a University of Edinburgh undergraduate nursing student recently completed his nursing elective placement at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
We caught up with Calum before he finished his placement at the Anne Rowling Clinic to find out more about him, his placement and what his future plans are.
Calum, can you let us know the background of why you wanted to be a nurse?
I had a guidance teacher at Madras College, St. Andrews, called Mr Donald Grewar. He was a very special teacher and it was rare to come across a teacher like him. I was a timid first year pupil that was in their shell. He saw potential in me and took me under his wing. I feel that I would not be where I am without him and his confidence in my abilities. These have been shown in this placement. Mr Grewar was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2015. I have some fond memories of time spent with him including playing rugby, singing in the choir for the 'Castle' house, at the school. I miss him dearly, and not a day goes by where I don't think about him. I believe this was why I signed up for my nursing degree, to care for others in their time of need. I want to improve the health of society and be a source of empathy, compassion and sympathy in times of hardship and ill-health.
What year are you now in for your degree?
I have just completed my third year and have completed my junior honours year. Fourth year is coming next for the senior honours. I have thoroughly enjoyed studying at the University of Edinburgh, being taught by passionate and enthusiastic lecturers in the field of nursing.
For your placement here at the Anne Rowling Clinic, what type of things did you get to do while on placement - and what, if any, was your favourite?
My placement was within the specialised area of neurodegenerative diseases. This involved helping to prepare for and organise research visits and clinics. I got to grips with the various research clinical trials occurring within the Clinic, mainly MND-SMART, MS-STAT2 and the Octopus MS clinical trial. I paid close attention to the evidence based assessment tools used within the clinical trials and the key role of the nurse in providing research care such as organising test, taking bloods (venepuncture), and other nursing tasks and competencies. I also got to spend time with the NHS MND specialist nurses in the Clinic and in the community as well as some time with the NHS MS specialist nursing team. The specialist nurses undergo holistic person centred evidenced based practice in caring for people with neurodegenerative conditions. During my placement I was involved in the day-to-day running of the Clinic and working independently on a project to be assessed as part of my degree.
Further opportunities included spending time with the Respiratory and Cardiovascular Research team based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. This allowed me the opportunity to compare and contrast differences between research teams including their management and their focus of research and funding.
What have you learned about some of the conditions seen at the Anne Rowling Clinic and what have you learned about research?
I have explored in more detail the pathological mechanisms behind the conditions of MS and MND. I've learned about potential environment factors that may have an impact on these conditions. I'm interested in the potential link between vitamin D deficiency and the role that this may play in multiple sclerosis. I've found it interesting to find out more about the potential role of autophagy in MND. I have been able to get to know a bit more about the complex situations that people may present to their doctor with, including physical, psychological and social factors as a result of their condition, as well as common symptoms and their management.
Research has proven to be so influential in the future of evidenced based nursing care. The field of medicine is evolving even as we speak. Research is playing a vital role in the evolution of biomedicine. I have learned more about the recruitment, screening process. The collection of data, data analysis and publishing in research. The complex background of funding of clinical trials is also something that I have had the opportunity to grasp. I was able to spend some time with one of the accountants at the Queen's Medical Research Institute to help me comprehend the complexity of the process.
What was your stand-out moment?
My stand-out moment for me was attending the MND-SMART gathering in June. I was able to listen to neurologists, scientists and influential MND specialist research nurses. Motor neuron disease is very close to home as I mentioned, and I really did listen to information that I had been longing to hear for many years. I felt that MND research is progressing in the areas of drug design, greater understanding of the disease process and new evidence based tools being used at this point in time. The MND-SMART clinical trial is truly cutting edge as it has a robust trial design, maximising people living with MND chances of being on an investigational drug. At the current time MND has no effective treatments, it is therefore important that we find an effective treatment for MND. People living with MND and their families have spoken up and leading researchers have listened, we are making progress and it is so important that we keep the momentum going.
What are your future plans?
My future goals are to achieve my BN (Hons) degree in nursing studies at the University of Edinburgh. I would then like to work as a staff nurse for a duration of time to gain clinical experience. I'd then like to look into a masters program in advanced nursing practice or in research. I want to progress my career as far as I can. I have goals to work towards and very much enjoy what I do - it doesn't feel like a job to me!
Finally, can you tell us a bit about you, what are your hobbies, what do you like doing in you spare time?
I have been fundraising for motor neuron disease since the age of 16. I am now 22 and have ran the iconic London marathon, taken part in a 'zip' slide across the Clyde and ran in multiple half marathons, 5 ks and 10 ks, all in aid of MND. I enjoy baking Paul Hollywood's recipes and have come up with some baking innovations myself! I play the bagpipes much to the annoyance of my neighbours! However, they seem to enjoy it all the same. I am a keen reader and can be seen reading a book out in the sun. As you can see I like to keep myself busy!