Our students

Why Teesside?

I live locally and previously completed a degree at Teesside – I loved the campus, the facilities and the opportunities that studying here brought.

Why did you choose adult nursing?

I looked after my mum palliatively at home after a terminal breast cancer diagnosis. The district nurses and Marie Curie nurses who cared for my mum through this time were so very kind. With their combined input, my mum died at home where she wanted to with dignity, surrounded by care and love.

Their patience and compassion touched me and my family deeply and I wanted to give something back. I wanted to look after people and their families, as we had been.

What do you enjoy about the course?

I’ve loved the whole course, but I discovered a real interest in public health research, particularly heath inequality, health literacy and health determinants. I have also enjoyed the subject of ethics that is woven through the course.

The support I received from my tutors is really good. I am encouraged and supported to take opportunities that have come along.

Thoughts on the campus?

The library is super, not only on campus but the access you have remotely too. The access to thousands of books and journals digitally is a game changer for my studies, particularly on a health course that takes you away from campus 50% of the time. If not available at Teesside, I can request books from the British Library through the university.

What do you think about Middlesbrough?

It’s a bit of a misunderstood area. The people are super friendly and you are only ever a few miles from beautiful beaches or countryside.

Anything else you are involved in?

I am a student ambassador and I love it. It is a flexible front facing role that has gifted me so many opportunities. I am also a member of Teesside University’s Health Students Research Network.

I volunteered to do my training with St John Ambulance as a covid vaccinator during the pandemic and work on the NHS Professionals bank.

I am a student member of the Nursing Standard Journal Evidence and Practice Editorial Board and thoroughly enjoy contributing to editorial decisions.

I am also a student member of the South Tees NHS Trust Research Board. More recently I have been invited to write an editorial piece for the Nursing Standard.

Ambitions for the future?

I would like to learn more about the research process with a view of conducting my own research into the effects of digital poverty and digital illiteracy on the health of our country in an ever more digital world. I'd like to try and find ways in which we can combat the health inequalities that arise from this.

Throughout the course I have become more confident and have learnt that you really can make things happen if you work hard. I have developed a newfound love for academia and want to pursue a career in public health and clinical research.

Would you recommend Teesside?

Yes. The opportunities I’ve had as a result of studying nursing and working at Teesside have been incredible. You really can make things happen if you grasp the opportunities available.

Any advice for students thinking of studying here?

Do it!