Our third-year nursing student, Claire, a mature student and mother, has pursued her dream of becoming a nurse. Recently, Claire was honoured with the Dean's Award for the Burnley Campus within the School of Nursing & Midwifery. Now, she’s ready to embark on her career as a Band 5 nurse.
Claire took a brave step when she decided to pursue a degree in Adult Nursing while raising her 11-year-old child. At 29, she understood the need for a university that could support both her academic ambitions and her responsibilities as a parent. "Being close to home was essential," Claire shares, emphasising how important it was for her to manage her studies alongside family life.
Our Adult Nursing degree gave Claire a strong foundation in both theory and practice. With access to our cutting-edge simulation labs, she was able to practice real-life procedures before stepping into placements across a variety of healthcare settings, including GP surgeries, theatres, and surgical wards. "The simulation labs helped build my confidence and prepared me for the real world," says Claire.
"It was during my placements that I discovered my passion for acute medicine."
— Claire Lumsden Adult Nursing BSc (Hons) Student
Our dedicated staff were instrumental in Claire’s success. "The tutors were always accessible, offering support when I needed it most," she recalls. "From answering emails quickly to staying after lectures to help with any questions, I always felt that UCLan was invested in my progression." Claire also made use of our wide range of student services, which helped her balance the demands of being a student nurse and a parent.
Now, Claire is set to begin her career as a Band 5 nurse on an Acute Assessment Unit. Reflecting on her journey, she feels proud of how far she’s come. "The University of Central Lancashire made it possible for me to pursue my dream," she says. "It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience, and I’m excited for the future. My advice to anyone considering nursing is simple: Make friends—having a social life is just as important as your academic life. The student union organises great activities, so get involved. Also, don’t worry if everything feels hectic at times. Just embrace the chaos, roll with it, and don’t stress about having it all figured out. I was a mature student, and I’m still figuring things out!"
