As a second-year adult nursing student, a senior healthcare assistant (HCA) in A&E, a student ambassador, and a mum to a 14-year-old daughter with Type 1 Diabetes, my life is a constant juggling act. Whether I’m supporting patients at work, learning in university, or managing my daughters diabetes, my world revolves around healthcare - both professionally and personally.

From theory to practice

Studying nursing while working in A&E has been an eye-opening experience. The fast-paced environment challenges me daily, but it also reinforces my learning. My studies provide the theoretical framework, while my role as an HCA allows me to apply that knowledge in real-world settings.

Living with diabetes - beyond the textbooks

My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when she was just two years old. Over the years, I’ve navigated insulin pumps, hospital appointments, school struggles, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with chronic illness and puberty. This lived experience gives me a unique perspective - one that isn’t always captured in textbooks. I understand the challenges patients and families face, from sleepless nights due to unstable blood sugars to advocating for the best care in a system stretched to its limits.

Being there - for patients, family, and the future

Balancing my career, studies, and home life isn’t easy, but it fuels my passion for diabetes care. Recently, I took on the student ambassador role, allowing me to support and inspire fellow students while contributing to discussions on improving healthcare education and practice.

This is more than a career for me; it’s a round-the-clock commitment. I’m always there - at my daughter’s side, in the A&E department, in lectures, in my student ambassador role, and hopefully contributing to the diabetes conversation in the RCN community.

I want to bridge the gap between clinical practice and real-life diabetes management, ensuring patient-centred and holistic care. Through the RCN Diabetes Forum, I hope to connect with others who share this commitment - whether nurses, students, carers, or those living with diabetes.