Chelcée's journey into nursing is a testament to the life-changing opportunities offered by Degree Apprenticeships.
Starting her career as a healthcare assistant at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Chelcée worked her way up to becoming a registered nurse. Her story showcases how our apprenticeship programmes empower learners to build confidence and achieve their professional aspirations while making a real difference in their workplaces and communities.
Chelcée Pasquill, a community staff nurse with Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, has transformed her career through Degree Apprenticeships. After joining the trust in 2018 as a healthcare assistant on a diabetic ward, she discovered the Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship and seized the opportunity to take her first step into professional nursing. She completed the two-year programme in 2020 and, eager to progress further, went on to achieve her Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship in 2023.
For Chelcée, the apprenticeship route was a game-changer. “It’s the best thing I did,” she reflects. “I would never have become a nurse otherwise.” The combination of earning and learning removed the financial pressures she had faced in previous studies, while protected learning time and practical experience helped her grow in confidence and capability.
"I was able to build the skills I needed and take on more responsibility in a supportive environment."
— Chelcée Pasquill, Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship student
Chelcée's dedication didn’t go unnoticed. She was highly commended in the ‘Team Player’ category at the North West NHS Apprenticeship Awards 2023, celebrating her willingness to go the extra mile for colleagues and patients alike. Her academic achievements also made a real-world impact—her dissertation on reducing pressure ulcers in care homes directly influenced practices within her team, showcasing how apprenticeships empower students to make a difference.
Now a qualified nurse, Chelcée is excited about the future. She’s already planning to undertake further training, including the Advanced Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship course and a prescribing qualification. Her advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is, “stay organised and give yourself time each week for your studies. It’s an amazing way to develop your career while earning and gaining practical experience.”
