Rose Fox's Experience on a Hybrid Placement
We believe in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals by offering meaningful, varied experiences that reflect the full scope of primary care. Our Hybrid Student Placement Programme was developed with that goal in mind.
Now in its second cohort, the programme offers student nurses a unique opportunity to rotate across different primary care settings, giving them broader exposure, deeper learning, and a chance to envision the many career pathways available within the NHS.
We recently caught up with Rose Fox, a second-year nursing student, to hear her reflections on taking part in the hybrid placement, and how the experience has shaped her professionally and personally.
Starting the Journey: First Impressions of the Hybrid Model
For Rose, the invitation to join a hybrid placement came as a welcome surprise. While most placements traditionally involve working in a single practice, the hybrid model offered something more: diversity, challenge, and opportunity.
“I was happy when I was approached about the hybrid placement,” Rose said. “We only usually get one chance to work in primary care during our training, so I thought it would be really good to see different settings and understand what the possibilities might be for my future career.”
The feedback from the previous cohort played a key role in shaping Rose’s experience. New measures had been introduced to make placements smoother and more beneficial for both students and host organisations. Among these were better communication, structured timetables, and clearer expectations — all of which Rose appreciated.
Learning Through Variety: Real-World Exposure Across Primary Care
One of the strengths of the hybrid model is the opportunity it provides for students to observe and participate in the full spectrum of primary care services.
A particularly insightful part of Rose’s placement was a session spent with the ICS Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) Lead at NATH. This session gave students an overview of how primary care fits within the wider NHS system and a better understanding of patient pathways.
“It really helped me see how everything connects, and how much goes on behind the scenes,” Rose explained. “There are so many different roles and career paths that I hadn’t considered before.”
She also spent time at PC24 with the NEMS urgent primary care team, which turned out to be one of her most memorable experiences. There, she developed her clinical reasoning skills and gained hands-on practice in a fast-paced environment.
“It taught me how to think on my feet,” she said. “I had the chance to assess patients for DVTs, do auscultations, check legs and chests, and even support patients in mental health crisis. Every day was different.”
Gaining Confidence in Clinical Practice
Beyond urgent care, Rose was exposed to a wide range of services. At the Healthy Heart Clinic, she worked with patients on monitoring vital signs and supporting lifestyle changes. In the Rushcliffe PCN Care Homes Team, she saw the important role ACPs play in managing elderly patients and long-term conditions.
“It was really interesting to work alongside ACPs, many of whom had nursing backgrounds like mine. Seeing their autonomy, especially around prescribing, made me think differently about where my own career could go.”
She also helped deliver COVID-19 booster vaccinations and spent time at St Peter’s Medical Practice, learning how to manage conditions like asthma and diabetes, giving her a well-rounded picture of primary care in action.
Support That Made a Difference
Rose highlighted how well-organised the placement was. Each site was prepared for her arrival, and she always felt welcomed and expected, something that isn’t always the case in student placements.
“Everything was so smooth. Having a shared online timetable and a WhatsApp group made it easy to stay on track and get quick answers if we needed anything.”
She credited Gemma Bird, her student assessor, as a key part of the supportive experience, noting that Gemma was readily available throughout to provide guidance and sign off competencies.
Looking Forward: Inspired by Primary Care
By the end of the placement, Rose had not only grown in confidence but had also gained a clearer sense of direction.
“Yes, it’s definitely made me want to work in primary care,” she said. “The variety, the pace, and the people really appealed to me. It’s an area where I can see myself building a career.”
Host a Student. Shape the Future.
Rose’s story is just one example of how hybrid placements can positively impact both students and the wider system. They’re helping us build a stronger, more confident workforce, ne that understands the full picture of primary care.
📩 Interested in getting involved? We’re always looking for practices to host students.
Whether you’re new to student placements or a seasoned educator, our team is here to support you.
Get in touch to learn more
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