Shannon Ferguson has just qualified as a Dental Nurse, she managed to complete her Dental Nurse Apprenticeship training in just 12 months and had an amazing assessor Lynn Evans, who helped her through this process. We took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her training and her future;
What made you decide to do a Dental Nurse apprenticeship?
I took health and social care as a subject for my GCSE and further learning in college at btech level 3. I knew from doing this, that I wanted to go into a medical/nursing field. However I was put off general nursing by the thought of having to bearing bad news or losing a patient, I eventually decided to dental nursing as the worst thing I would have to tell a patient is that we need to remove a tooth!
What made you choose Tempdent as your training provider?
I got a job as an apprentice dental nurse and the company I worked for used Tempdent as their training providers. However, I would like to say that Tempdent provided me with the most amazing help and support during my training. My assessor, Lynn really helped me through my course, she was very easy to approach. She had some brilliant tips and hits when it came to revising for my exams and I managed to qualify in just over a year which I do not think I could have done without such a great tutor. When I was really stuck on a project Lynn would make an arrangement for a support call where she broke down the project in a way I could understand what I had to do, I feel like she really adapted to the way I work/learn and would like her to know how grateful I am for all her support through my course. I also feel like the action plans used throughout the course are a brilliant way to keep organised and visually see your own progress.
What was the most challenging part of your training?
I found the orthodontic work quite tedious as I did not have an orthodontist at my practice to see the practicality of what I was trying to write about.
What part of the training did you enjoy the most?
I enjoyed learning about extractions, surgical extractions and suturing, I also enjoyed learning about radiographs and processing them.
Did you get a lot of support from your practice?
They gave me time to do my coursework where they could but I did my training at an 8-8 emergency NHS practice it was a very busy surgery with 6-8 clinics running 7 days a week, the head nurse who I was working under always found time to help me if I was struggling.
What are you planning to do in your professional future?
I would like to go on to study dental hygiene or possibly assess aspiring dental nurses, I have not 100% made my mind up yet and will continue working as a qualified dental nurse until I decide. I will definitely be doing any post qualification certificates with Tempdent and I would recommend Tempdent training providers to anyone aspiring to become a dental nurse.
For more information about becoming a Dental Nurse Apprentice visit our website
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