David is 31 years old and studied as a mature student, graduating in September 2022. He now works full time as a Band 5 Registered Nurse in Clinical Haematology at Pinderfields General Hospital. Here, he shares his experience of studying at Leeds Beckett. 

Course: BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

Tell us a bit about yourself and your experience of studying at Leeds Beckett?

I’ve been married for five years, we have two retired greyhounds, and in my spare time I enjoy going to the gym, dog walks and exploring new places. I studied BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing and graduated in September 2022 and during my time at Leeds Beckett University, my course proved difficult. I repeated my first year as I did not meet the grade requirements, I was diagnosed with a Learning Difficulty, and I studied throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to this, my mother died from Covid-19 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Dealing with retaking the year, adjusting to being newly diagnosed SpLD and then the death of my mother; I received amazing support from both the university and my lecturers in the form of reasonable adjustments, which were tailored to my needs and made a world of difference.

What have you been doing since qualifying and how have you developed? 

Since uni, I have been settling into my new role as a Newly Qualified Nurse. My preceptorship/supernumerary period has been over six months, as I work in a specialist area and for this, I have received lots of training, supervision, and support in such a short space of time. I’ve completed lots of clinical competencies, such as venipuncture, cannulation, catheterization, and use of central venous access devices, such as PICC lines and Hickman lines. 

I’ve been very fortunate (and incredibly thankful) to be given the opportunity to work with an amazing team; from housekeepers, Healthcare Assistants, my fellow Nurses and the Medical Team, caring for people with hematological malignancies and conditions. 

How has your experience of studying at Leeds Beckett influenced you and your career?

Studying at Leeds Beckett allowed me to overcome personal challenges and offer opportunities to grow and develop both personally and professionally. Obviously studying with Leeds Beckett pushed me to develop academically. The work I put in to get my place at university, completing the assignments, to then completing the course with a first-class degree, is something I am immensely proud of myself.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying your course at Leeds Beckett? 

I understand how hard university can be because I’ve been there, but whatever your background or circumstances, it is do-able! Because I’ve done it! I would always say “Go to an open day, have a look round the campus, meet the lecturers and the current students and ask questions.” 

What’s next for your career?

At this current moment, I am training to administer systemic anti-cancer therapies, such as chemotherapies. I want to complete my Practice Assessorship and go on to support students in clinical practice, and then in a couple of years’ time progress, either by gaining a band 6 role or go on to do a master’s and become an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. For now, I am really happy where I am, I can see myself here for a long time and there appears to be lots of exciting opportunities so who knows!