Harry Hayes - College of Medicine & Health
Dear Donors,
My name is Harry Hayes I have just started as a first-year Nursing student at Exeter. In 2018, I enrolled on the Exeter Scholars programme, and undertook a subject activity strand in Economics, learning lots about how we as humans make decisions; along with how studying at university can be an exciting and challenging adventure. I truly enjoyed my time on the programme and the friends I made. After a few years exploring different options, I chose to start my university education at Exeter because of my experiences with Exeter Scholars. I have a strong interest in nursing ethics especially the ethical issues that arise in palliative care environments and the issues that arise when supporting and teaching families to say goodbye.
I am humbled by being selected for this honour and understand how fortunate a position this scholarship will grant me throughout my studies. I would therefore like to thank everyone who has made this opportunity possible, especially those who granted kind donations. I will use this award to support my studies and access my practical placements, ensuring that I am able attend and engage with my learning to the highest level.
Thank you does not seem strong enough, yet it is the only words I can grant you. I will do my best to honour your donation, to make you, my future patients, and myself proud of the nurse I can become, ensuring I treat them with the dignity and respect that everyone deserves.
My kindest regards,
Harry
Harry Hayes
Sir Steve Smith Scholar
Profile - Harry Hayes
Why did you chose to come to the University of Exeter?
I have lived in Exeter all my life; this has given me the opportunity to attend events led by the University. My experience with the Exeter Scholars Programme led me to want to attend the University as it exposed me to university study and research. I had been aware of the University's reputation as a leading research university which did influence my decision.
Why have you selected your chosen subject of study?
Nurses bring the best of humanity to the worst of situations. They see things that at times no person should witness, but instead of running from pain and trauma they help, they throw themselves into another world and bring them out of the pain to enable them to move on and heal. To us the patient is always more than their disease. The more I investigated this vocation and the many areas it encompasses the more I felt the calling to become a nurse.
What career aspirations do you have?
At the end of my degree, I will register as a Nurse. My speciality interests will develop throughout my degree as I experience the different areas nursing and healthcare has to offer. My current interests are based in the area of nursing ethics, especially in the relation to palliative care. Helping people manage pain along with supporting family towards the end of a loved ones life to ensure the patient's wishes are respected.
What will you be doing outside of study?
I've joined the golf society and have attended the beginner lessons to help me improve to the next level. As a student member at a local golf club, it means even when I am on placement, when I get a day off, I can book a tee time and enjoy nature for a few hours, giving me a space to processes the challenges faced in nursing. Joining in with the society also gives me the opportunity to make friends outside my studies.
Outside of the University I will continue to train in Japanese Jiu Jitsu, a martial art I have been training in for the last 6 years.
What does this scholarship mean to you and how will it impact your time at Exeter and beyond?
Being awarded this scholarship is a high honour, I am simply humbled by the opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to fulfil my potential. The realities have still not sunk in, all I can do is study hard, have an open mind and develop into the nurse others have seen in me. How will this impact my time beyond Exeter? I don't honestly know, but how will it impact my patients? They will be presented with a nurse who willing to listen, learn and most of all to care.