Learning Disability Nursing student making the most of second degree

A GCU student is helping provide a support network to her nursing peers after deciding to take full advantage of her return to higher education.

Lorne Gillies is currently in the third year of her BSc Nursing Studies (Learning Disability) degree, combining it with her role as co-chair of the Scottish Learning Disability Nursing Network (SLDNN).

“I actually came to GCU for my first degree in Multimedia Journalism and graduated in 2014,” explained Lorne.

“I then worked as a journalist until lockdown when I was put on furlough. I wasn’t happy in my job and I was thinking about how I could have been a registered nurse instead.

“I always remember my papa being quite unwell and the nurses that looked after him being absolutely amazing. I’m one of those weird people that actually quite likes watching blood getting taken, and my papa actually used to always call me his ‘little nurse’.

“The thought of coming back to do another degree was always there but it wasn’t until my friend got into GCU to study Biomedical Science that I actually took the steps to apply.”

Lorne added: “I actually wanted to do Mental Health Nursing first, but they were full. I then looked at Learning Disability and I really liked the holistic approach in terms of how they work with people. When I was working in journalism, I did quite a lot of work around human rights and fell into work focusing on disability, so it’s funny how things work out.”

Despite covid restrictions initially impacting on the opportunity for in-person classes, Lorne remained fully committed to her new career path.

She said: “I was emailed about the opportunity to get involved in the Scottish Learning Disability Nursing Network (SLDNN) and I just decided to go for it.

“I started doing their social media in first and second year just because I obviously had that journalistic background. When Fiona, one of the other GCU students involved, graduated this year the position came up to be co-chair and it really has been amazing for me.”

The Scottish Learning Disability Nursing Network was formed to create a safe space for learning disability nurses across Scotland, giving them the opportunity to meet and discuss various aspects of their profession.

Lorne explained: “It was actually started by Corinne Taylor, who is one of our lecturers here at GCU. There’s a core group which has a range of really experienced consultant nurses. I’m co-chair of the Student Sub-Group, which is made up of students from GCU and Edinburgh Napier University -  the only two universities in Scotland that offer BSc Nursing Studies (Learning Disability) as a degree.

“We come together as student nurses and then explain to the steering group the different challenges we face. We also hold our own meetings to help provide personal support and advice to the students in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. The main thing is just making friendships and showing that you are there if anyone is struggling with anything.”

As well as her involvement in the network, Lorne is also a class representative and head of the GCU Nursing Society. This combination of different activities has allowed her to make the most of her university experience.

“I keep joking that I feel my personality is now, simply, nursing! It’s amazing, but the only thing I keep saying is that I wish I’d done this as my first degree. However, I do think having that life experience is a real positive coming into a degree.

“Getting involved in everything has allowed me to meet so many amazing people: people with learning disabilities, other student nurses, professionals. It’s been fantastic and taken my career to places I never thought it would reach as a nurse.”

Lorne is all too aware of the pressures combining extra-curricular activities with a degree can bring, but she insists the extra work is well worth it.

“Sometimes it can feel like you’ve got enough to deal with and that joining something else can be a little too much. What I would say about all of the things I’m involved in is that there’s never any pressure on you, it’s all voluntary and there’s enough members that there’s always help available.

“Most importantly, groups like SLDNN and the GCU Nursing Society are a great opportunity to meet other people and get that support when you’re finding things challenging. It also looks amazing on your CV!”

Find out more about the BSc Nursing Studies (Learning Disability) course here

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