International Nurses Day: Our Nurses. Our Future.

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Debbie had useful advice to pass on to her fellow students

A final-year student has reflected on her decision to study at GCU whilst also looking ahead to her future career as a qualified Learning Disability Nurse.

We asked Debbie Gillion to reflect on her personal and professional journey as part of International Nurses Day, which is celebrated globally, each year, on the 12th of May.

Amongst many other things, Debbie discussed her love for nursing, placement experience, dealing with imposter syndrome; and even passed on some words of wisdom to those considering a change in career:

Tell us a bit about your background and route to GCU?

“I left school when I was 17 years old and was originally accepted into primary teaching, but I did it for six months and didn’t enjoy it despite really liking working with kids.

“I went on to become a cardiac physiologist through an advert in a newspaper. I did that for 27 years and I enjoyed everything about my job. However, there was always a burning desire within me to do nursing. I always thought I’d move across once I got some money behind me, but I never got to it because I really loved my job.”

What made you decide to make the change?

“I actually became quite unwell in 2015 and ended up in hospital in an induced coma for four days. I ended up being medically discharged from my job and I just thought to myself, ‘I’m not sitting around here, in my forties, doing nothing’.

“I completed an HND in social services thinking I could go and do social work. During that, I got day release to a training centre that supports people with learning disabilities and enhances their independent living skills. The individuals who live there are also encouraged to get qualifications - I just thought it was fantastic.

“My sister is also a teacher and works with children with special needs, so I did have some knowledge prior to my training centre visit, but that was definitely what encouraged me to go for it as a career. I applied to GCU and got my unconditional offer, which was absolutely amazing.”

What was it about nursing that particularly appealed to you?

“I’ve always wanted to help people and I’ve always had a huge amount of respect for nursing as a profession. My dad passed just before covid, but the holistic care he got in the hospital from the nursing team was phenomenal. They didn’t just care for my dad, they also cared for the family - and that’s what I think is really important about nursing. It’s not just the person you’re looking after, it’s the whole extension to the family.

“Learning Disability Nursing teaches you about the whole model of that person’s life and puts them at the centre, but the people that are around them are just as important because they are going to be working alongside you to put a plan into action in order to help this person.”

How much have you enjoyed your time at GCU?

“I’ve loved it...I’ve loved every second of it. I’ve cried, I’ve sweated blood, but these things are always going to be there. There are challenges, but I’m so proud I’m going to be a nurse.

“The course has been really thought-provoking. Small things make a big difference; like our lecturers inviting in speakers who are actually out there working in the job. They told us about their experiences and talked about their expertise in things like epilepsy and polypharmacy – it was really useful for us as trainees.”

What’s placement been like for you?

“We need to do 2300 hours over three years, so it’s obviously a lot. However, I think we’re very fortunate as students that we actually get to experience our career before we finish our degree.

“Our final placement starts soon and lasts 15 weeks. We all have hours to make up with covid, but it’s still a really exciting time.

“The first placement I had was the general nursing placement and took place as the pandemic was coming to an end. That was really difficult because there were a lot of staff shortages. I think it’s an easy option to complain about things, but you need to have a positive can-do attitude in nursing.”

So you obviously have a lot of experience over your three years, do you have any advice for other students going into placement?

“The best advice I can give in regards to placement is: have a willingness to learn. It sounds simple, but it’s so important. If you have questions, ask them. If you don’t know how to do something, ask. Make the Healthcare Support Workers your best pals, because they’re the ones that know all the tricks of the trade and you learn so much from them. Crucially, don’t be frightened to get stuck in!”

You’ve recently secured a job – you must be delighted?

“It’s an exciting time, but there’s definitely a bit of imposter syndrome creeping in! I’ve always had that though… everyone keeps telling me I need to believe in myself more.

“The role I’ve got is probably a bit removed from the stereotypical "nurses' job". It’s not a ward-based job, it’s a unit where the individuals have their own flat. It’s actually quite similar to the placement I completed during my HND.

“My role is basically to support them living independently and to put a care plan in place to help achieve that. A number of the individuals I’ll be helping have behaviours that would be perceived to be quite challenging: they might be verbally or physically aggressive, but there’s a reason for that behavior and our job is to help them.”

The theme for International Nurses Day 2023 is ‘Our Nurses. Our Future.’ How proud do you feel to be part of that?

“It’s all a bit surreal, but I’m really excited to see what’s going to happen in the future. The way nursing has developed is incredible.

"I definitely think there’s more respect shown to us now, both within society and within the medical profession. That’s the way it should be – we’re highly educated and specialists in our field. There are things I can do that a doctor can’t. The nurses keep everything running and I’m glad that’s now more appreciated.”

It’s obviously been a long journey for you...what would your message be to anyone thinking of getting involved in nursing?

“I’d absolutely recommend it. I’m 52 this year and started off when I was 49 years old. At first, I thought ‘I’m never going to be able to do this’, but I got through it, and I’ve loved every single second of it. Forget what everyone says, nursing isn’t a vocation; it’s a profession.

“Be proud. Go for it. Jump in with both feet. Grab as much knowledge as you can and you will do it. Dreams can happen.”


Find out more about the different options to study nursing at GCU.

By Ross Clark      
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter