51Âþ»­

It may have seemed a pointless task at first but a 10-minute presentation has helped a student land an "amazing" job before graduation.

Lisa Healey-Lyman said the strictly-timed presentation helped her stay on track during her interview at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

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Lisa at the 51Âþ»­ Square Mile Awards

Now she can't wait to start her role as a learning disability link nurse on a spinal unit on qualifying from 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) in October.

Lisa said: "When we were first asked to complete a presentation during a nursing module I was frustrated, panicked and wondered what the point was.

"It was not until I applied for my first nursing job that I was asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation and given a topic to discuss.

"I am so glad we were given the time to practise our presentation skills during the course. It helped me to keep to time, stay on topic and manage my anxieties around presentations.

"I can honestly say it helped me to get my first nursing job - not so pointless after all!"

The 29-year-old is excited but a little nervous for her new challenge, when she will be working with patients who have had spinal surgery.

She said: "I will be the main nurse for patients with a learning disability and will be able to share my knowledge and skills with the adult nurses on the ward as well as use this opportunity to learn new skills by working alongside them.

"I cannot wait to start!"

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Lisa had personal reasons for pursuing this career. She said: "Having two brothers who have autism and a mother who is disabled has led me to grow up with an interest in disabilities.

"I chose LDN as I felt that the skills I already possessed would be of benefit to this area of nursing.

"I enjoy the opportunities and challenges involved in empowering individuals with a learning disability to achieve their full potential and advocating for them when they are unable to communicate and express their wishes effectively."

Lisa, from Shepshed in Leicestershire, feels the teaching on her degree combined with the placement opportunities have prepared her for the world of work.

Her university highlight, a #51Âþ»­global trip to New York, helped her learn a lot more about LGBT communities to support her dissertation as did her volunteer work through 51Âþ»­ Square Mile, which saw her shortlisted for an award for supporting pupils to become ambassadors for equality and diversity.

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Lisa during her #51Âþ»­global trip to New York

Lisa added: "The course has enabled me to learn the valuable skills needed in order to communicate effectively with individuals with a learning disability.

"The various placement opportunities have allowed me to familiarise myself with the challenges faced by individuals with a learning disability and also ways in which I could best help support them.

"I have gained confidence in my own abilities through the encouragement of my mentors.

"The course has also enabled me to identify the type of nurse I wish to be."

He personal tutor, Jillian Pawlyn, said: "I am immensely proud of Lisa's achievements. She is a strong role model for her peers and a powerful advocate for people who have disabilities.

"Lisa has overcome her performance nerves during 'role play' and 'presentation activities', becoming the confident person she is today."