John Langan

OU student John LanganAn Edinburgh care home employee upskilling to become a nurse through Open University degree studies has shared his delight at being a national award finalist.

John Langan attended the prestigious Royal College of Nursing Scotland Awards 2025, where he was named runner up in the nursing student of the year category.

His journey into a new career of nursing has been “motivated greatly by illness in my own family and the effect that dementia had on my own grandparents”.

John’s award nomination praised his “exceptional dedication, compassion, and initiative in improving the lives of residents with dementia” at The Manor Care Home in the capital. 

A senior carer as well as the home’s dementia champion, John says: “I was both very surprised and very honoured to have been nominated in the first place and then to make it to the finals and be named runner up was something I couldn't believe.

“It was very humbling to be invited to such a prestigious event with so many inspirational figures from the field of nursing.”  

Impacting lives for the better

John says: “Nursing offers me a greater opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives for the better. 

“There are a myriad of branches and areas in which I can apply myself to and build a broad foundation of clinical and care skills to progress in my career as far as I am able. 

I chose The Open University for my adult nursing degree studies because of its unique flexibility.”

“I chose The Open University for my adult nursing degree studies because of its unique flexibility, which allowed me to balance academic learning with real-life responsibilities and hands-on clinical experience. 

“My line manager suggested it to me as he knew I was eager to progress beyond my role of senior carer but was limited in my options to pursue nursing, as there was no way I could reduce my hours and pay to attend a college or university full time. 

“This idea was a revelation to me and with his support I was able to be sponsored by my employer, Caring Homes, as an apprentice student nurse.” 

John has a bachelor of science degree in archaeology from previous university studies in Ireland. Encouraged by his now-wife Danielle, he began working in the care sector during the pandemic. 

“Though this was an entirely new professional field for me I really felt it was the right decision,” he says.  

“I then applied for a senior care assistant position in late 2021 as I felt that I had a chance of upskilling and accepting more responsibilities. 

Nursing career goal

“I always had the end goal of nursing in mind but felt strongly that working as a carer while looking for a viable way of doing a nursing degree was important, as it would tell me if I had the aptitude for the profession in general.” 

John’s care home roles now also include palliative care champion. 

I would not have been able to venture into my nursing degree journey without this form of learning.”

As well as his company providing a “great level of support and flexibility” for his degree studies, he says, “I work with many inspirational nurses in a variety of roles throughout the home and company and all have been on hand to offer me guidance and motivation.”

John says: “The Open University offers an apprenticeship learning model that blends study with practice really well. 

“I would not have been able to venture into my nursing degree journey without this form of learning, and I am now learning at my own pace both in theory and practice, without compromising my quality of education or practical experience required to get my nursing pin.” 

Adds John: “Qualifying and registering as a nurse in the future would be an amazing achievement in my eyes and one I have worked towards with great focus over the last five years. 

“I know I have made a difference to people’s lives as both a carer and senior carer and qualifying would be the culmination of my commitment to this vocation I have chosen and making a greater difference to people’s health and wellbeing.”