12/05/2026
In 2005, I began my journey into nursing at university.
21 years later, I’ve found myself reflecting on everything that’s come with it.
I still remember a fellow student telling me that because I chose the diploma route (the one that paid £500 a month compared to £50 and student loans) I’d never become a senior nurse, and that no one would take me seriously.
I also remember a lecturer who told me I wasn’t academic enough to deserve to be a nurse.
This was despite consistently achieving 95%+ in my clinical placements, but because my written assignments didn’t score as highly, I was made to feel like I wasn’t good enough to qualify.
They were just two of the more questionable people I encountered along the way. There were others. But thankfully, there have been far more incredible people. The ones who supported me, believed in me, and helped shape the nurse I’ve become. Those people will never know how grateful I am to them for their constant support and encouragement.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed more than I could ever put into words, moments of real heartbreak, loss, and vulnerability…but also incredible strength, resilience, and humanity at its very best. Being trusted to care for people during some of the most difficult and intimate moments of their lives is something that will never be lost on me.
It hasn’t been easy. I’ve stepped into roles that were completely wrong for me. I’ve worked alongside people who shouldn’t be in healthcare, or managing others for that matter.
But through it all, I’ve found my place. My niche. My speciality.
People often ask why I drive to Manchester every day for work.
The answer is simple.
Because I love what I do.
It’s stressful. It’s pressured. It’s busy.
But this job is the job I’ve enjoyed the most in my career by far.
In the past 10-11 year, I’ve taken my journey in a new direction, stepping into the world of aesthetics. It’s given me the opportunity to care for people in a completely different way; helping to restore confidence, enhance natural beauty, and support how people feel in themselves. It may look different to traditional nursing, but at its core, it’s still about care, trust, and making a positive impact.
Happy International Nurses Day to all my amazing friends and colleagues 🫶🏽🩺❤️👩🏽⚕️
“I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”
- Florence Nightingale
