A TEENAGE nurse has told of her determination to help others after being inspired by the care the NHS provided to her gran. 

Nicole Cornfield, 19, joined hundreds of students from across the city in the frontline battle against Covid-19 by signing up to work in the Royal Infirmary last week. 

The second-year Glasgow Caledonian University undergraduate has even temporarily moved out of her family home in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, and into student halls in order to protect her asthmatic brother Daniel, 13, from being put at risk of catching the virus.

And after spending her younger years watching her gran Janette Cornfield being treated so well by nurses, Nicole says she didn’t have to think twice about taking the chance to do her bit for others. 

The former Airdrie Academy pupil said: “My gran was in hospital quite a lot when we were kids and had a lot of different health problems. 

“I remember being in hospital a lot with her when we were young and just seeing all of the nurses walking around and providing the care for her.

“She’s doing well now and I’m so thankful for everything they did for her. It made me think that I could do that for someone else. 

“I wanted to give back to the NHS because they have done so much for me and my family.” 

It was a whirlwind 48 hours for Nicole as she moved out of her family home last month, leaving behind dad Scott, 43, mum Sharon, 42, sister Erin, 15, and Daniel, before starting in Ward Three at the Royal just two days later.

She said: “It’s been so crazy and I had to leave home because my younger brother has asthma. It was too much of a risk working with patients who could potentially have Covid-19 and then taking it home. 

“The university has offered free accommodation and I was really grateful for that.

“I felt I had signed up to be a nurse and as crazy as it is to be 19 and going out on the frontline in a pandemic like this it felt like a really good learning experience. 

“The team I’m working with have been absolutely amazing and are handling it so well.

“I was really nervous going into it and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. There are a lot of different patients who have cancer and heart problems and it was a little bit scary going in.

“It’s really busy patient-wise and while some are protesting against ending the lockdown, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

“Hospitals are already overwhelmed and that isn’t going to help anything.”

She added: “It’s been really tough being away from home and I have my highs and lows just like everyone would. My family is the support system I need right now and I always know they’re there for me. 

“I do miss them a lot but they’re the drive that keeps me going.” 

It might be hard to focus on the positives during the pandemic, but Nicole is sure it has inspired a new appreciation of the health service. 

She said: “I feel some of the patients’ outlook has changed on the NHS. I’ve had a few saying how much they appreciate it.

“Before, it felt like some just took advantage of the NHS. Now, it feels like they’re starting to realise just how important it is to everyone and how lost we would be without it.”

Meanwhile, her family have told of their pride in the work being done by Nicole. 

Dad Scott said: “We’re all really proud of her, even though we have that parental fear there as well.” 

Professor Jacqueline McCallum, head of GCU’s Department of Nursing and Community Health, said: “We are immensely proud of more than 500 of our third-year students who will be starting paid placements with the NHS at this critical time.”