Mark moves from cheese making to nursing

Staff nurse Mark Bowen went from a career in cheese making to caring for hospital patients.

Mark decided on the career change around eight years ago, having worked at various levels in the dairy industry, from technical manager to cheese maker.

Now a staff nurse in the acute oncology ward at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, he completed an advanced diploma in Nursing Studies before progressing to achieve the BSc (Hons) Promoting Practice Effectiveness with first class honours.

Mark, 52, of Northallerton, said of his career change: 'I had done everything from working for a large dairy products company to small rural cheese making firms, but was seeking a change from the dairy industry.

'My wife Donna was working as a staff nurse at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton at the time and suggested I go into nursing. She’s completed a degree too and now works as a case manager in community care.

'I started as a health care assistant and soon realised what a rewarding job nursing is. It can be distressing and very challenging at times, but it is ultimately so rewarding.

'The learning side of the profession is completely brilliant and the role is constantly changing and developing. I feel really privileged to have been able to change to this new career.'

Modern approach at university Mark, who is dad to Scott, 22 and Regan, 19, said: 'My last experience of education had been at college, where the set up was much more classroom based, so I was pleasantly surprised by the modern approach at university. I was able to use on-line technology to accommodate academic work around family commitments.

'There was an instant camaraderie with the rest of the cohort, who were a great source of support. There was also a lot of support available from the university staff.'

During his training Mark completed placements at the Friarage Hospital and James Cook University Hospital and worked full-time while at Teesside University completing his degree. The former Ripon Grammar School pupil said: 'I didn't really use the social facilities at Teesside, but the library was really good. Also being able to access everything you needed from your computer at home and away campus was great.'

Mark was awarded the Teesside Hospice Prize for his dissertation, which focused on the introduction of a holistic assessment tool to an oncology ward. He said: 'Some individuals can find certain areas of assessment difficult. Having a formal assessment tool provides prompts which helps reduce barriers to successful evaluation.'

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