SIXTH-FORMER Nikita Rana is to swap a summer holiday to become a student doctor.

She has secured three top placements — including two at leading hospitals this summer — as she works towards her dream of becoming a surgeon.

The 16-year-old, who attends Winstanley College, will take up her first placement at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital later this month.

She was selected from over 100 applicants for the placement and during her time at the hospital she will shadow cardio-vascular consultant and surgeon, Deborah Harrington. This will include watching surgery and being present in theatre.

Nikita, from Bolton, said: “In order to achieve my goals of becoming a doctor, it is important to get as much experience as possible.

"The college has really supported me in securing the placements and I am going to make the most of every minute —I can’t wait.”

Nikita’s second placement was secured through the Nuffield Foundation. The Foundation works to secure relevant experience for students in the first year of post-16 science, technology, engineering and maths courses and in particular encourages applications from students who don’t have a family history of going to university.

Over a six week period, Nikita will spend time at the University Hospital of South Manchester with Doctor Mitra, a consultant nephrologist.

Nikita has also been accepted onto a third placement at the University of Leeds summer school where she will live in student accommodation for a week and attend lectures and seminars at the School of Medicine.