Katie – Access to Nursing & Human Sciences

Course: Access to Nursing & Human Sciences

Hometown: Truro

Progression: Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship with the University Centre Truro & Penwith and Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Katie had just had her youngest child when she started to consider University options and think about her long term career goals. With the dream of becoming a midwife, she began applications to Universities near to home. It was during this application process that Katie found that in order to start a Nursing based degree, she would need some additional level 3 qualifications and found that Truro and Penwith College did an access to Nursing course that would be perfect for her.

Katie said: “I was working as an admin assistant at Cornwall Council and after I returned from maternity leave and went part time in September 2021 to complete the access course. I then started work as a Healthcare Assistant at Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust to obtain some experience working in a hospital”

“I found it difficult to come to terms with Harvard referencing at first, however, with the amount of assignments we had during the access course, it provided me the practice to perfect it. Now in my current course as a student nurse, it is second nature and have been praised on my referencing skills.”

“In addition to referencing, I was already aware of the basics of Biology, Psychology, and Sociology, which has provided me with a wealth of knowledge in my current course.”

“The best experience I have had during my current role is has been the registered Nurse I was working with told me that I identified a deteriorating patient through use of vital signs and saved their life.”

“When I was told I was unsuccessful for Midwifery I was devastated, it had been my 3rd attempt, 1 being when I was 16, the 2nd when I was told I should apply for an access course, and this my 3rd thinking by achieving good grades I would be successful. However, I am now so grateful it did not work out as I love my current course and I could go on to undertake the Midwifery top-up if I wanted once qualified.”

“My advice would be – Follow your dreams! Attend lectures – you learn from attending. Ask questions if you need help or clarity Put in the effort – you get back what you put in. Most importantly – when things get tough, which they will at some point, and you feel like you cannot carry on, do not give up! You’ve got this! One chunk at a time (my motto currently)”

“I wouldn’t be where I am without Truro College and of course my own hard work and dedication!”