Ada studied BSc Adult Nursing, graduating in 2023. She is now working as a Registered Adult Nurse at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. In this blog, she tells us what she enjoyed about her course at Leeds Beckett and how it helped her achieve her amazing career in health.

Course: BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you've been doing since you graduated.

I studied Adult Nursing at Leeds Beckett, starting in September 2020, and graduating in August 2023 with a first-class degree.

I'm passionate about Adult Nursing and working in a specialist role. I'm a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registered nurse working for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Chapel Allerton. My department is Dermatology, Rheumatology, and Neuro Rehabilitation.

Tell us a bit more about your current role and why it's amazing.

My nursing role at Chapel Allerton Hospital includes admitting patients to the ward and carrying out a holistic assessment known as the Nursing Specialist Assessment, Falls Risk, Pressure Ulcer (Purpose T, SSKIN bundle); and using the Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation for intervention.

My current role is fantastic because I'm privileged to be part of a more comprehensive healthcare system and network that makes a positive difference in the lives of others. For example, patients with skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, or rheumatoid conditions like arthritis and gout, or autoimmune diseases like lupus, are assessed by the doctors on the ward who prescribe medications and topical solutions.

My roles and responsibilities include administering these medications, applying the topicals and advocating for patients when needed. It's impressive when you see your patients get well and discharged home.

How did your course at Leeds Beckett help you get to where you are today?

My placements helped me get this current role. They provided networking opportunities that enabled me to meet amazing people and make insightful choices.

The course offered at LBU includes self-directed learning opportunities. This is significant because it helped me become a curious, confident graduate and practice questioning while offering evidence-based solutions through research. The theoretical and practical experience was worthwhile.

What support or opportunities did you receive at Leeds Beckett that have helped shaped your career?

The support I received was numerous, which included but was not limited to placement opportunities, research work in my final dissertation, library services, student services, one-to-one sessions with an academic adviser, enrichment placements, employability days - where most of the renowned employers came to LBU to give us insights about employment.

I also had access to specialist facilities, including the new Clinical Skills Suite with a hospital ward, simulation room, and more.

I'm proud to have graduated from LBU and have heard positive information from students at other universities. LBU exposed me to strategic employability success by involving stakeholders and guest lecturers from reputable Trusts who lectured on patient care and services.

The University also organised a virtual interprofessional forum day where all healthcare professionals, including allied health professionals, collaborate and understand their various roles. This is essential because you integrate with the multidisciplinary team in practice.

One of the incredible things taught by the University was including course content of Mental Health courses for Adult Nursing, and vice versa. This was significant because, as nurses, we need to be holistic in assessing patient care and be self-aware of the importance of parity of esteem of physical and mental health conditions. In practice, you come across patients who may have both conditions and identifying these conditions is essential for timely intervention.

I had the opportunity to be one of the student course representatives who took students' concerns to the University. The Course Director for Adult Nursing and Mental Health Nursing, Janine Lee, leads an excellent nursing team. She listened to students during the Monitoring Annual Review and Enhancement Meeting (MARE). At MARE meetings, students express their concerns about the course through their student representatives, and the University particularly examines quality improvement in the nursing programme to improve the student experience.

Can you tell us about a project, piece of work or experience from University that you're proud of?

I was inspired by most of the modules in which I scored distinctions, including the Advancing Nursing Science and Transition to Registered Nurse (dissertation module).

I remember one of my science lecturers, Louisa Morley, commenting that my final-year case report was well-written. This comment gave me the confidence to continue working hard and smart.

What would you say to someone considering studying your course?

It's a great experience. Though it may be challenging, it's very rewarding. The key is to find your passion so that when it gets difficult, your passion will motivate you to keep going.

It's vital to explore the services provided by the University; for example, student services, one-to-one sessions with academic tutors, library services, seeking advice from your senior peers, attending lectures and seminars, completing your assignments on time, taking your placements seriously, reading your university course and placement handbooks. All these enabled me to achieve a first-class honours degree.

What's next for you?

I'd like to continue to make a significant contribution and positive difference to the lives of others and take responsibility for my personal development plans.

One of my admired lecturers, Christine Mantzouka (previously my academic adviser), saw potential in me to consider research after I performed well in a research module. I plan to consider this in the future.