Name: Kylie McGavigan
Course studied at NWRC? Foundation Degree in Applied Medical Science
Previous Education before you came to NWRC? Before the FD I studied on the Access to Health and Welfare, within the Strabane campus.
Why did you choose to study at NWRC? Was a natural progression, speaking to different career advisors, even outside of NWRC, everyone spoke highly of the staff and the facilities so was a no brainer.
Tell me about your course. The FD was easily one of the best courses I have done. Coming back as a mature student and forgetting a lot of science from secondary school the staff easily reintroduced the basics for those who were not as strong but equally not boring for those with more experience. Chemistry has always been my weakest science, however, I strangely started to enjoy it. The teaching staff are unbelievable and really do have the patience of saints. Without Amanda, Diane, and Maria there would have been no way I would have gotten through those exams, always going above and beyond.
Personal highlight of the course. During the final year of the course, I took part in project-based learning. Me and Tina Downey created a dressing which would change colour to mark the presence of infection, without the need for unnecessary removal of the dressing. Changing dressings less often can reduce the risk of wound trauma and skin blistering. We finished within the top three for NWRC and progressed to the Northern Ireland project-based learning awards final which was an amazing experience.
What did you do afterwards? I progressed into the second year of Biomedical Science at Ulster University in Coleraine and graduated in May with a 2:1. The FD was a great building block and really set me up well for getting through the degree with very little issues. I steadily referred back to work and essays I had already completed.
Where are you working now? I am currently working in Altnagelvin Hospital laboratory as a Health Care Science Associate with the aim of completing my IBMS portfolio and continue on the career path to become a registered Biomedical Scientist.
Would you recommend this course to other students? I strongly recommend this course, such an important building block to my career and I am truly grateful to those who helped me get to where I am today.
