Hospital stay confirms Andrea's true and inherent passion for nursing

: Created: 16 February 2021

Having been furloughed from her high-ranking management role in the retail sector - a career she had held for over twenty years, the time was ripe for change and the perfect opportunity to make the switch.

“When you’re coasting along in a career you’ve had for a long time, secure in the knowledge that you are in a safe place, it’s easy to become complacent and oblivious to what may be around the corner.” says Andrea. “One minute all is normal and the next everything changes - dramatically.

“Finding myself at home, with my two children and husband was very strange. Although a novelty at first and donating my time to helping my youngest with her remote schooling and my eldest son with his university assignments, I just couldn’t get used to not being at work. I also started to see that my job, particularly in the retail sector, was not as stable as I thought.

“I started to think about my yearnings to work in the caring professions - something I’d held subconsciously for many years after being inspired by a wonderful social worker whilst in care as a child. I wondered if maybe this was the break I needed to find my true calling.

“Then, I found myself in hospital and worried for my long-term health. This was all happening too quickly for me, and I couldn’t see my family either. Being in hospital for so long meant I thought very hard and at length about my future and what it would hold after I returned to the outside world.

“On the ward, I started to care for some of the more vulnerable and elderly patients around me; often being their voice and raising concerns to the nurses and medics on duty. I soon became known affectionately as ‘Matron’.

“That experience sealed it for me. I was going to become an adult nurse and I was going to get started imminently. In December I began my Access (Fast-track) to Nursing Level 3 Diploma at London South East Colleges and before I knew it, we were in lockdown again.

“Getting used to changing circumstances has been something I’m getting very good at over the past year. I didn’t think I’d enjoy this at all - not being in class and coping with my assignments on my own. But I've never been alone - the tutors are there with us much of the time online, and I stay in constant touch with my classmates via social media and zoom. I actually prefer remote learning now. It means I can spend valuable time with my family and even go out for long walks (I do my 10k steps a day) blending my lessons and assignments with everything else I need to do.

“The tutors are superb - I cannot recommend them highly enough - along with the online resources, virtual lessons and reading and visual materials - I can often be seen walking through the local park watching videos on YouTube. For the sheer support and brilliant teaching I’ve received, well done and thank you Paula and the teaching team. I’m inspired again and so want to give something back in way of helping and supporting others. What could give you better job satisfaction than that?”

Andrea is now waiting to take part in five different university interviews in March and confident she will get an offer soon afterwards. She has been very active as a class representative and sits on various panels to feedback on behalf of her classmates.

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Related link: Higher Education