A nurse will graduate next week after overcoming a huge challenge on her journey to qualifying.
Esme Savage will formally receive her degree in Adult Nursing from the University of Worcester on Tuesday, two years later than she had originally planned.
After her first year of study, Esme became ill and had to take two years out for multiple surgeries.
She said: “It was a setback, but being on the other side of nursing and being a patient brought back everything to me. It made me realise it was definitely what I wanted to do, to help other people.”
She added: “I feel proud of myself for getting through it, and my personal tutor Sam was amazing. Throughout it all she was the one who got me through it, so it was nice to have that relationship with just one person that I knew I could just go to about anything.”
Returning to University, Esme hit the ground running in her placements and found a passion for working with patients in GP surgeries.
She said: “Every day is different. You never know what you’re coming into, but because you’re in the community you often get to see patients more than once, so you get to build that rapport with them, you get that relationship with them.”
Now, she gets to see patients getting better and knows she has made a difference to them.
She said: “That often feels surreal, that you’ve actually done that, but it is the best feeling ever.”
Now, Esme is looking to the future and is keen to learn and study more.
“I want to do my Master’s,” she said. “I want to do prescribing, and my end goal is to be a nurse practitioner.”
Looking back at her challenges, Esme said anyone who wants to learn but faces obstacles like she did can overcome them: “It sounds a bit cliché, but just never give up,” she said.
“Just keep pushing. At the time you think everything is against you, and that’s how I felt, but just look ahead, take each day as it comes, and you’ll do it.
Sam Meredith, Senior Lecturer & Course Lead, was Esme’s Personal Tutor.
She said: “Esme has shown remarkable resilience and determination throughout her course. Despite facing numerous challenges, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her studies and her future career.”
She added: “We’re incredibly proud of Esme’s achievements, and she is an invaluable asset to the NHS. She has consistently demonstrated the qualities that are essential for providing excellent patient care.”
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries, telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]