My pathway to adult nursing in Scotland: how I became an anaesthetic practitioner

Early career dreams and initial setbacks

My career story starts in Ireland, where I immigrated from Ghana as a child. I studied Biology and Chemistry in high school because I wanted to be a nurse. 

My sister encouraged me to find a career that would make me happy and help me grow as a person. I also wanted one that offered multiple opportunities that would help me build the life I envisioned. 

I have always been fascinated by news and documentaries related to medicine and medical innovation. I find them exciting and engaging. A career in nursing aligned with my interests, and I believed it would be a good fit.

With my career ambitions set on nursing, my heart sank when my school leaving certificate results weren’t what I’d hoped for. I was sad and disappointed that studying nursing at university seemed out of reach.

The pre-nursing course and my second chance

Although I was disappointed, my family encouraged me not to give up. They suggested I do a pre-nursing course instead of repeating a year at school. It felt like a fresh start and a second chance towards my career goal.

The pre-nursing course helped me develop scientific knowledge and skills for university study. I also gained valuable work experience, which helped me decide if a nursing career was really for me.

University and discovering my passion for perioperative care

With renewed hope and my career goal firmly back in sight, I applied to universities across Scotland through UCAS. The University of Dundee offered me a place on the 3-year pre-registration undergraduate adult nursing degree programme. It was another positive step forward on my journey to becoming a nurse!

During my nursing training, I had a placement in the operating theatres at Ninewells Hospital. This is where I discovered my passion for surgical specialties and the vital role of anaesthetic practitioners. The welcoming, helpful, and encouraging staff made my experience even more rewarding. 

I particularly enjoyed the following:

• one-to-one patient care and interaction
• emphasis on skills development
• opportunity for continuous learning in the NHS

The NHS is an excellent healthcare system with strong core values. These values closely align with my own, especially “care and compassion.” The commitment to providing person-centred care positively impacts people's lives.

I also realised that my colleagues shared these same values throughout my nursing training, which motivated me to pursue a career within the NHS.

Starting my anaesthetic practitioner career

After I graduated, I registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which is a legal requirement for working as a nurse in the UK. I then applied for anaesthetic practitioner roles.

Apart from practice placements as a student nurse, I had no prior personal or professional experience in a hospital setting. I wasn’t aware I could start my nursing career in a specialised area without additional formal education.

A closer look at my anaesthetic practitioner role

Ever wondered what it's like to be right there during surgery? As an anaesthetic practitioner, that's me! I work closely with the anaesthetist on all cases. Our relationship is professional, built on mutual trust, and focused on patient safety.

Making sure patients receive the safest and best possible care

The anaesthetist decides the type and duration of anaesthesia for the patient’s surgical procedure, and I follow their plan. I make sure anaesthetic equipment and devices in the operating theatre are set up and ready for the day. 

When the anaesthetist and I have everything set up on time for a case, and the plan goes smoothly without any rush, it makes me happy. I put a lot of effort into my practice, and I’ve received compliments on my attention to detail.

But it's not just about the equipment – I'm also part of a fantastic team in theatres. We support each other to keep things running smoothly and, most importantly, to make sure our patients receive the safest and best possible care. It's a real team effort!

Making a positive first impression

Communication skills are essential for success as an anaesthetic practitioner. When I began my nursing training, I was shy and did not engage much with my colleagues during placements. However, over time, I gained confidence, developed my verbal communication skills, and became a more effective speaker.

Non-verbal skills, such as body language, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact, also play a crucial role in effective communication.

A huge part of my role involves interacting with patients and listening to their needs. I believe in making a positive first impression, which can often be what patients remember most from their time in theatres. 

I strive to make a difference in people's lives by being kind and respectful of their decisions and choices. I am sensitive to their individual situations and engage in conversations about their daily lives to help them feel less anxious. I address questions they may have or direct them to the surgeon or anaesthetist when required.

Working across different patient groups

It may surprise you to know that there is so much variety in my role. Although I trained as an adult nurse, I’ve also completed additional in-house training so I can care for other patient groups, including paediatrics and maternity.

On a typical day, I can see twins being born, emergency surgery following a road traffic accident, and tissue or organ retrieval where the patient has opted in to the organ donation register.

Learning, development and future career ambitions

I am still learning and developing in my nursing career. I’ve found that I learn best when someone explains different concepts to me. I often seek advice from my colleagues, who have extensive knowledge and experience. They are approachable and kind, and they readily take the opportunity to help me.

Beyond learning from my colleagues, I'm also a big fan of exploring things myself through books, videos, and online courses. There's always something new to discover! What's fantastic is that my workplace really supports us by making sure we have time for mandatory training.

Also, if we identify a course that could support our personal and professional development, they're often on board to make it happen. It's all about continuous learning and helping us be the best we can be!

The continuous support I have received from my colleagues and management has greatly influenced me. My long-term goal is to explore a return to academia and pursue a professional diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology. I am interested in women's health and would like to further my career in this area.

A moment of impact: sharing my voice

One of the most significant moments in my career was being encouraged to participate in our Clinical Effectiveness Day by presenting a topic related to ethnicity and health. Initially, I felt nervous and doubted my qualifications and abilities to deliver a presentation. However, after some thought, I decided to go forward with it.

It turned out to be a valuable experience, and I enjoyed collaborating with a colleague on the presentation. I also had the opportunity to share a personal story about my mother’s experience accessing health services. I presented my perspective as a person of colour and included experiences from others in similar situations.

Reflecting on my pathway to adult nursing in Scotland

Occasionally, I reflect on the past and what life may have been if I had studied nursing in Ireland. While things could have worked out differently for me, I don't regret starting as a newly qualified nurse in a specialised area as my first job. I wouldn't trade the experience of developing into a confident person and practitioner.

Thinking back to when I first started my placement in operating theatres, I found it intimidating, scary, and overwhelming. I convinced myself that I lacked adequate knowledge. Now, as a nurse with 2 years of experience, I realise those feelings were completely valid.

However, I would advise anyone in a similar position to be patient and allow time for the learning process. Gaining and retaining information takes time, and eventually, the job will become second nature. Remember, you are not alone in this experience. You have a strong support system within the theatre team to help you along the way. Just ask if you need help and support.

I believe that you should do what makes you happy and what feels right for you. My path has been positive, and I am happy with the support I have received.