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National nursing ambassador Amanda

25 November 2013

 

Amanda Bain, who was nominated for a top nursing accolade while completing her degree at Teesside University, has gone on to become a national nursing ambassador.

The BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Adult) graduate was nominated as Student of the Year: Adult in the Student Nursing Times Awards 2013.

Recalling her shortlisting, Amanda said: 'It felt amazing to be nominated, it was completely unexpected and it left me completely overwhelmed.'

Amanda, 41, of Newton Aycliffe, previously worked as a child minder, but had always wanted to go into nursing. She waited until children Heather, 18, Samuel, 14 and Grace, 11, were older before deciding to pursue her ambition.

She said: 'I’ve wanted to study nursing for many years but I wanted a family first as I knew nursing sometimes involved unsociable hours, so I waited until my children were older so I could focus on my course work.

'I hadn't studied since I left college at 18, so I attended an access to higher education course to give me the tools which would help me with my degree. I chose Teesside University as its friendly approach to new students made me feel like it was a place I could see myself studying. It ticked every box.

'I knew combining study with caring for a family would be demanding, but my husband Ian has been my rock. I couldn’t have done it without his support.'

She added: 'There was so much support from the University, which really prepares students for a career in nursing. The clinical skills and practical experience we gained during the degree and on placement helped to provide real experience of what to expect as a practitioner.'

Amanda, who is working as a staff nurse in a critical care area, recently became a Care Maker as part of a new national network of student and newly qualified nurses who act as ambassadors for the professional values set out in the new nursing strategy for the NHS in England.

She added: 'I would recommend Teesside and its School of Health & Social Care. The friendly staff, support and well-structured course has been invaluable to my learning experience. Teesside University has so many career opportunities available and it’s a great learning environment.

'I'd previously worked with my new team as a student on placements and I know the course has given me the skills to enable me to deliver safe effective care. The degree has been essential to gain the knowledge and skills needed in my job.'


 
 
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