Sharing journeys into Nursing, let's celebrate International Nurses Day 2024

Celebrating our nurses and learning about their stories in the NHS.

There are several ways to become a nurse in the NHS; only some take the conventional route via a university degree education. Now, you can choose to start your career in the NHS and take on a nurse degree apprenticeship, develop through a nursing associate role, and participate in other initiatives. We are celebrating our nurses today and sharing their stories and journeys to becoming nurses. 

Rebecca Nicholas-Arnell, Senior Staff Nurse, Mill Lodge CAMHS Inpatient Unit

I am a 44-year-old mum of four children who discovered my passion for Nursing at 30. I initially cared for patients with Neurological and brain injury needs but later discovered my area of interest in CAMHS.

Having left my early years of education with very few formal qualifications, I found education a significant uphill challenge. Despite this, my educational pathway was accessed whilst working in the brain injury unit. This afforded me the chance to build my educational pathway, initially completing a level 3 health and social care diploma and retaking foundation subjects such as Maths and English.

Working in CAMHS, initially as a band 2 HCA in 2015 and then moving into a band 3 position, further inspired me to develop myself and fostered a passion for caring for young people with mental health needs. I continuously pushed myself out of my comfort zone, taking on roles and responsibilities beyond my pay band, driven by my insight and interest in delivering care at the highest standard possible.

In 2018, I commenced my apprenticeship foundation degree on a pay band 4 through the University of Leeds, which, over two years, further fostered my interest in the theory-practice gap within CAMHS. During this time, I took on further responsibilities, including managerial and clinical supervision, leading roles in infection control and as a smoking cessation prescriber. I also took charge of training and education roles, such as Nasogastric feeding. I became the physical health lead for my unit.  

Positive feedback gained in my professional and educational arenas further inspired me in 2021 to commence my BSC Honours in Mental Health Nursing apprenticeship. Completing this in 2023, having become protracted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite this, I was awarded a First Class Honours. I continued to look for opportunities for further development within my workplace. When the opportunity came to apply for an internal Band 6 role, I didn’t hesitate to apply and was successful.

Throughout my journey, I have learned that it’s never too late to learn and develop new skills. Drive and determination, together with a good work ethic, can overcome any challenge.

Reflecting on my professional and academic journey to date, I am aware that none of my achievements would have been possible without constant managerial and organisational support. This is testimony to the power of positive and strong leadership within my workplace and organisation.

Adam Seymour, Community mental health nurse, OpCourage

Thirteen years ago, I embarked on a journey that didn’t start in a hospital’s clean, quiet halls but rather in the lively atmosphere of a building society. It was there, inspired by a colleague’s leap into midwifery, that I felt a deep desire awaken within me—a desire for purpose and a meaningful direction in my career. I am Adam Seymour, and I’m here to share the story of my path to nursing.

The road to becoming a nurse wasn’t laid out straight before me. The university’s doors had already closed for the year, but my determination didn’t waver. Without any healthcare background, I grabbed an opportunity that came my way—a position as a Health Support Worker within Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT), working within the learning disability services in the Support Living Service. This role brought me immense joy and a sense of fulfilment, so much so that it briefly cast a shadow over my aspirations to become a nurse.

However, destiny had its own design. The LYPFT offered an incredible opportunity: a secondment program for nurse training in the field of mental health. The selection process was demanding, and the timing was almost poetic—my daughter was to be born just as this new chapter in my life was set to begin. I secured a spot in the secondment program, enrolling in the Bachelor of Science degree at the Open University, focusing on Mental Health Nursing. As I balanced my responsibilities at work with my studies, I straddled two enriching worlds.

My real-world classroom became an acute ward at the Becklin Centre, where textbook theories came to life, starkly contrasting my previous experience working in the supported living service. As a Health Support Worker, I connected with patients on a human level, sharing their stories and contributing to their care. This crucible of experience was where I learned to blend academic knowledge with practical application, weaving my education into the fabric of everyday scenarios.

After earning my degree in mental health nursing, I took on the role of a newly qualified mental health nurse. The Community Mental Health Team welcomed me with a sense of recognition from my days as a student nurse on placement, coupled with the new experience of stepping into the role of a qualified nurse. Despite my initial doubts and imposter syndrome, I pushed through, embracing every chance to learn and grow.

Then, the world was hit by COVID-19, a crisis that changed everything. I found myself back in the acute wards, navigating the familiar role of a Health Support Worker, but now with the added responsibilities of a qualified nurse. The challenges were many—the fast pace, the emotional strain, and the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. Yet, these difficult times taught me valuable lessons and built up my resilience. As 2020 came to an end, I began a new venture: the Op Courage High Intensity Service, which was set up by NHS England and run by LYPFT to provide vital additional support to veterans in crisis. In this role, I developed my skills and knowledge, achieving a move upward from a mental health practitioner to a Senior Mental Health Practitioner within the team. I continue to dedicate my work to those who have served our country and find great joy in my role.

With the trust’s support, I have recently started a new chapter alongside my role within Op Courage—a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice at the University of Leeds. This step was driven by my belief that our potential for growth is infinite as practitioners. My Clinical Team Managers have been instrumental in guiding me, supporting my ambitions, and helping me push the boundaries of my knowledge.

My narrative transcends the traditional imagery of white coats and stethoscopes; it’s a testament to transformation, perseverance, and the myriad of individuals we impact. Within our nurturing community, we share a profound conviction in what we can achieve. My experiences have enlightened me that nursing transcends mere employment; it is an odyssey of hope, bestowing brightness and hopefulness upon those in our care.