From Team Secretary to Adult Nurse

Anne, 53, from Magherafelt, graduated with a BSc Honours Degree in Adult Nursing from The Open University (OU), marking a remarkable journey of personal and professional transformation. After working as a Team Secretary in Public Health Nursing, Anne's path into nursing took a new turn when she was encouraged by her colleagues and supervisors to pursue a career that aligned with her natural caring disposition and passion for health and wellbeing.

Anne started her journey toward becoming a nurse in 2020, taking on a Child Health Assistant post after ensuring she had the support to pursue her studies while working. “I began my OU nursing journey in September 2020 after taking up the Child Health Assistant post. The flexibility of studying with The Open University made it possible to balance work, life, and education,” Anne reflects. Her decision was also driven by a previous challenge—despite having A-Levels and a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, she lacked a science subject required by other universities. Fortunately, The Open University allowed her to study while employed by the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), making the dream of becoming a nurse attainable.

Throughout her nursing studies, Anne’s involvement in voluntary roles kept her connected with her community. She has been an active volunteer with parkrun since 2014 and has led several "Couch to 5K" programmes for NHSCT staff, with participants graduating on International Nurses Day. As a staff health, wellbeing, and inclusion champion since 2019, Anne continues to drive initiatives that promote physical and mental health within her workplace. Most recently, in June 2024, Anne became a Walking For Health Walk leader and co-founded the Mid-Ulster Walking for Wellness Facebook group, leading and encouraging weekly walks aimed at improving the wellbeing of less-active members of the community.

Anne’s dedication doesn’t stop there. To celebrate submitting her final nursing assignment, she organised a charity abseil at Fairhead in Ballycastle, raising £650 each for Aware NI and Macmillan Nursing Staff, while also gifting omelette makers to nursing staff—a fitting tribute to her commitment to health and wellbeing.

Her journey into nursing was deeply personal, inspired by her experiences in Public Health Nursing. "Working under two amazing lead nurses and a health protection nurse specialist inspired me to pursue nursing. I realised I wanted to apply for a degree and become a nurse. I felt I had so much to give."

Throughout her degree, Anne faced several challenging yet rewarding moments in patient care. One memory that stands out is when a stroke patient she was caring for wanted to shower after weeks in the hospital. “It was humbling to be part of that journey. She became emotional, realising how far she had to go in her recovery, and I encouraged her to focus on what she had already achieved,” Anne recalls. Experiences like this reaffirmed Anne’s belief that nursing was her calling.

Anne also encountered moments of crisis, such as assisting a patient who went into cardiac arrest. Her calm and composed response to the situation, focusing on the patient’s dignity, was praised by colleagues and gave her confidence in her nursing abilities.

Looking back, Anne is grateful to the people who supported her along the way, from practice assessors and tutors to her fellow student Julie, who was a constant source of support. "Stephanie, my final-year tutor, went above and beyond, regularly checking in and guiding me through the final stretch of my studies."

Despite the challenges of balancing her studies with her work and personal life, Anne believes in the importance of setting boundaries and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. “I set myself small goals and make sure to enjoy walks, spend time with family, or volunteer,” she explains. “The OU program is flexible enough to accommodate the demands of life while studying, and that’s been key to my success.”

Anne has now completed her preceptorship within a busy Day Surgery Unit in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and more recently, in the summer, has taken up a new post as a peripatetic treatment room nurse in the community. “One of the most rewarding things about nursing is its diversity — there are so many paths you can take. You can explore different areas, interview for roles that align with your interests, and keep growing throughout your career.”

Her message to others considering a career in nursing is simple but powerful: "Go for it. It’s never too late to start studying. The support is there—reach out when you need it."

Anne Smith’s inspiring journey from team secretary to nurse is a testament to resilience, community spirit, and the transformative power of education.