Emma – BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Hometown: Dobwalls

Course: BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing – Higher Level Apprenticeship

My Story:

Having previously worked as a Hairdresser, a career change has meant that Emma is now employed by Cornwall Foundation Trust, which lead her to finding the opportunity to complete the Adult Nursing Apprenticeship. Taking part in this course has come with full support from her employment base and Emma is enjoying the split between placements and University study.

Emma said: “I spend 14 weeks as a Student Nurse on placement, with two days on campus. I feel this works well as learning on the job and having lectures in the week keeps things fresh in my mind. After 14 weeks I return to my base placement of employment and a health care assistant.”

“My cohort has 19 students. We are split in half for tutor time. I feel that this is a perfect number to get to know our tutor and each other. I feel we all work well as a group, and we all get on well.”

“I had a wobble in my first year as I let everything get too overwhelming. I voiced this with my tutor and one of my lecturers and they gave me so much support and helped me to dissect one thing at a time.”

“My highlights are the amazing feeling that I am finally doing this degree, and the chance that it has given me. Also, the amazing ladies in my Cohort – they are a huge support and friends for life”.

Emma also works as a student ambassador alongside her degree and helps at large scale events such as Royal Cornwall Show and giving peer support to other students, she commented: “Being a student ambassador has helped my confidence so much.”

“When I am back at my base placement, I have the opportunity to experience different areas of nursing to get a wide range of knowledge in different fields. Nursing offers so many opportunities in different areas. I have not yet decided what type of nursing I want to go into yet, so these spoke days are fantastic to get a feel of all the types of nursing that is out there.”

“Having my husband and children’s support doing this degree has made me determined to make them proud.”

Emma’s advice is: “Go for it. What have you got to lose? You’re never too old to start a degree – it is one of the best decisions of my life and I am enjoying every minute of it.”