Helping young people thrive as a CAMHS nurse specialist

Starting something new: swapping finance meetings for a rewarding nursing career

I left school without a clear sense of direction because my dyslexia and other undiagnosed neurodevelopmental difficulties made the education system challenging. A teacher once told me I’d never amount to anything, but I didn’t let their negative opinion cloud my potential and future goals.

Starting work in bars, nightclubs, and retail, eventually settled into a career in finance largely by chance. While working for a large bank, I completed a BA in Business after my daughter was born in 2012. Although banking offered career progression and stability, I realised I was beginning to hate my job and needed to walk away from it.

After my son was born, I decided that enough was enough. It was time to be brave and try something new, so I could find a professional role that felt right for my personal values. I registered for an MSc in mental health nursing at Edinburgh Napier University. To make sure I had what it took, I worked as a home help for older people before I started my degree. The experience confirmed I was making the right choice, and I’ve never looked back.

Supporting young people and their families through difficult times

Now I work in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which we call CAMHS, where I support young people who are struggling with very difficult eating disorders. I use family-based therapy to sit alongside parents and their children. We work together to find a path toward a much healthier and happier future.

I also spend time working with the care experience team. We help young people who are living in the care system get the best possible support they need. Every day brings a new set of challenges, but it’s a privilege to help these families grow together and improve their own mental health.

The best part of my working day is being part of a supportive nursing team that offers a huge breadth of clinical knowledge and lots of experience. We always find the time for a team lunch together, which is a great moment to support each other after a stressful or very busy morning shift.

Finding support in a busy nursing team

Sharing a muffin and a distraction with my colleagues helps me stay energised for the rest of my day and feel ready for any new challenges. Some people have misconceptions about the long waiting lists in CAMHS, but I see a team full of drive and compassion doing their best for every family.

Good communication is the most important skill for a mental health nurse specialist to help young people who feel so hopeless and think that nothing will ever improve. It’s really special to be the person who helps them feel at ease so they can finally accept the help they need to start feeling better again.

Watching a family enrich each other’s lives through my coaching and support is a feeling that I haven’t found in any other job. My own story has taught me so much about resilience, and I believe that my background with dyslexia has actually helped me become a much better nurse today.

My top 3 tips for your nursing career

• Trust your instincts—If you feel a spark of interest in nursing, go for it and don’t look back! Anything is possible when you work hard and stay focused.
• Make up your own mind—Don’t let the negative thoughts of other people stop you from finding your place in a team that will support your personal and professional goals and needs.
• Throw yourself in to it—If you’re a student, give your all to every placement and make sure you make a lasting impression on your colleagues because they will always remember you.

Choosing to become a nurse was the best decision I ever made because I finally feel like I’m in the right place to help others.