Nursing / Registered Nurse BSc(Hons): After you graduate

"I originally did a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Then, after working in the City for a bit, I worked for a professional medical body managing international healthcare projects. This led me to get a job with the charity VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) managing the recruitment of healthcare professionals for overseas programmes.

''But I still felt I needed a vocation and decided that nursing was what I wanted to do.  I knew the training at Kingston was good and it was near my home so I went for an interview in February, planning to start the following September.  However, as I had a degree and relevant work experience, I actually joined the course two weeks later on the Accelerated Graduate Scheme. 

''I think the teaching on the course is fantastic. Nursing is very fulfilling but it is also challenging - emotionally, physically and mentally. Added to that, a lot of students are mature and juggling their studies with looking after their families. However, the Faculty staff are extremely understanding and supportive, which makes any issues a lot easier for people to cope with.

''Kingston also has very good facilities in terms of things such as skills labs. There are a lot of simulation days where you are based in a ward environment. Whether you are doing your Management module, Trauma or something else, you've got patients coming in and you are getting the chance to work with medical students, radiography students, physiotherapy students and actually practising those skills. 

''Another brilliant opportunity Kingston offers is the chance to do placements overseas.  In my final year I did one in Russia and one in Finland. It gave me a real appreciation of the NHS.  When I compare it to somewhere like Russia, I feel proud of what we are achieving. Nurses have a lot more responsibility and respect than people would have us believe. However, Finland balances this out and makes you realise that there are still a lot of things that need to be done.

''The course has also made me realise what an incredibly dynamic and constantly changing profession nursing is. Every year there is more choice and opportunity. I have chosen to specialise in A&E and I am really looking forward to it. But, if I find out it's not for me, I can choose from 101 alternatives. That's a really exciting prospect.''

"I applied through clearing to read biomedical science but early in my first year realised that, although I loved the atmosphere at the University, I wasn't really enjoying the subject. So I decided to switch to adult nursing.

"For one of my placements I was sent to St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, where I worked in the accident and emergency department. It hit me almost immediately that this was what I wanted to do. The day goes so quickly and you never know what is going to come through those swing doors. I think it's the unpredictability that attracts me. You just never know what you are going to be faced with!

"I feel very lucky to have been appointed to my new post and I think my previous experience in the department stood me in good stead because hospitals are rarely able to take newly-qualified nurses in accident and emergency. I simply love my job, and with the skills I have there are so many countries I can work in. What more could I ask for?"