Angie's story: my journey into nursing as an adult learner

Finding the confidence to follow my career dream

As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a nurse. But when I left high school, I didn’t have the confidence to follow my dream.

Later, at the age of 32, while working as a school dinner lady, I found the courage to attend a career talk at a local college. Soon after, I started a SWAP Access to Nursing course. The Scottish Wider Access Programme is a fantastic opportunity if you’re an adult learner returning to education. It will help you gain the skills and knowledge you’ll need for an undergraduate degree programme at university.

It was very hard to get back into a study routine, but the more I studied, the more I learned, and the more confident I became. There was a great support network at college to help me. Writing reports and citing references was difficult at first, but it got easier.

Find out more about SWAP Access to Nursing.

When I completed the SWAP course, I applied to study nursing. I was accepted to the 3-year pre-registration undergraduate adult nursing degree programme at the University of Dundee.

Discover more about nursing courses at the University of Dundee.

Balancing university studies with family life

The move from college to university was a big shift in pace and expectations. The structured learning environment and the intense nursing curriculum were so different from the more relaxed college experience.

Balancing my studies with bank shifts as a healthcare support worker, other part-time jobs, and the demands of family life was challenging. I learned so much about myself and my capabilities during this time.

Practice placements as a student nurse

As a student nurse, I had practice placements in many different settings, including hospital wards, an ear, nose, and throat outpatient clinic, a care home, and in the community. In practice placements, student nurses develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and clinical skills.

Within a couple of days of starting my placement in critical care, I knew it was where I wanted to spend the rest of my nursing career. I loved it! I got to work alongside registered nurses who provided me with invaluable mentorship. I learnt from experienced professionals, asked questions, and gained insights into patient care, physiology and pharmacology.

Becoming a registered adult nurse and achieving my career goal

I applied for newly qualified nursing roles in critical care a few weeks before I graduated from university. I started working as a staff nurse at Ninewells Hospital when I received my Personal Identification Number from the Nursing and Midwifery Council. It was a significant moment in my career because I’d achieved my career goal by working hard for it.

Find out more about the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

I’ve been a recovery nurse for almost 18 years now. I’m also a practice assessor, mentoring and supporting student nurses on placement from the University of Dundee.

What is a recovery nurse?

My working week can be very varied as I cover several recovery areas. In theatres, there are many different specialities in adult and paediatric surgery. I care for patients immediately after their surgical procedure to ensure patient safety and continuity of care.

In the recovery area, I continuously monitor the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and temperature. This is vital for detecting any immediate post-operative complications. I also make sure the patient’s airway is not obstructed and give pain medication, if needed, to make them more comfortable.

Lots of patients don’t remember us recovery nurses! They can feel a bit disoriented as they regain consciousness because of the anaesthetic drugs. Anaesthesia can also make some patients feel nauseous, so I may need to give them antiemetics to stop them from being sick.

The time a patient spends in recovery can vary, depending on the type of surgical procedure or how long they are under anaesthesia.

It can be a difficult or scary time in their lives, and my colleagues and I are there to reassure and support them. When the patient is ready, I prepare them for discharge to the ward or the surgical high-dependency unit.

Essential skills for my role as a recovery nurse

Communicating is an essential skill for my role. My team always communicates clearly with each other. If we didn’t, it could cause delays in patient care. For example, a patient may not get pain relief when required, or their discharge to the ward could be delayed.

Expanding my expertise

The best decision I’ve made in my nursing career so far is to go dual-trained. About 2 years ago, I completed a 4-month intensive anaesthetics training programme. This means I can work as an anaesthetic practitioner and a recovery nurse.

To maintain my skills in both areas, I work 1 to 2 days per week in anaesthetics and the rest of the time in recovery. There can be new procedures, equipment, and medications to learn about, too.

All my training is recorded in my Turas professional portfolio, which is discussed with my manager at my annual personal development and planning review. I also use it to evidence continuing professional development when revalidating my Nursing and Midwifery Council registration.

What makes me smile at work?

Seeing a patient wake up and start to recover makes me feel truly happy and energised at work. It's not just about the medical side of things, though that's a huge part of it. It's also about the human connection. It's about being there, offering comfort and reassurance during a vulnerable time.

Knowing that I've played a part in helping someone through it and making them feel safe and cared for keeps me going. It's tough sometimes, don't get me wrong, but I have an amazing team of colleagues.

It’s rare, but sometimes things don’t go so well. During those times, we’re here to support and encourage each other. We also celebrate positive outcomes. This strengthens social bonds, nurtures a sense of belonging, and allows the team to feel valued and appreciated for our vital work.

The best career decision I've made

Ready to make a real difference in people's lives? Imagine yourself as a recovery nurse providing compassionate care and support when it truly matters. I wish I’d had the courage to become a nurse much sooner. But I took myself out of my comfort zone and went for it, and you can too! It’s the best career decision I’ve made.