Student life - Hearing it from service users

Abstract

the experience of illness. This marks a significant and positive change in the design of undergraduate programmes. Service users are experts in their own care and their involvement in professional education can and does challenge attitudes towards mental ill health. As a nursing student with a previous career in customer service, it seemed obvious to me that best practice would involve an understanding of the public we serve. So, the inclusion of the user or customer perspective in the course syllabus was a key factor in my choice of university. My first interaction with a service user was during my interview for a university place. Service user involvement has been shown to enrich the recruitment process for nursing students and I was impressed that they were involved on this occasion – so impressed that I became a student ambassador assisting at university recruitment events, spending more time with service users. These interactions helped me to refine my practice, while service users reported positive effects on their own mental health. I became acquainted with one service user in particular and we supported each other during a challenging time. Despite her illness, this patient was highly committed to conveying the patients’ views to us students. Her dedication and professionalism was rewarded with engagement in our education, and she was also able to influence university and trust policy. Her sense of self-worth has grown and she feels she has a purpose and hope for the future.