Aimee Williams

Originally from Manchester, England, Aimee returned to higher-education and attended Manchester University at 27 to study mental health nursing, as she felt she needed to follow a career she was truly passionate about.  

Aimee states: 

"I began my nursing journey by enrolling in Manchester University's mental health nursing program, under the guidance of an inspiring service manager and nursing colleagues at the Priory; where I was working as a support worker at the time. 

"Upon graduation, I secured my first position as a mental health nurse in South Wales. As my husband is from Wales, I felt right at home, as I had visited many times before. We originally planned to live in Wales for a year and see how we settled in - with the option to return to Manchester should things not work out. That was 11 years ago now, so I think it’s safe to say that Wales is now our home. During our time in Wales, we’ve had children – and I love the fact that they have grown up bilingual in English and Welsh and have fully embraced the Welsh culture. 

"As I had a young family, I felt I needed a healthier work/life balance, so I decided to switch from adult inpatient to community mental health nursing. I stayed in this position for around five years, where I also undertook a non-medical prescribing course, with great support from my team manager and consultant psychiatrist.   

"Once qualified as a non-medical prescriber a new opportunity became available in a memory assessment service, which I began in 2021. This role gave me the opportunity to undertake the advanced nurse practice course, which I completed in February 2024. I had a lot of support from the team and mentor during this time and they were very accommodating regarding my studies and family needs. 

"Currently, I am the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) for the memory assessment teams in Carmarthenshire and have been in this role for over three years. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with dementia patients and their families, providing support and guidance during a challenging time.  

"As an ANP, I have the autonomy to assess, diagnose and treat patients in an ANP-led service with consultant support. I am provided with time to improve my knowledge to meet the four pillars of advanced practice and have recently become a principal investigator for a research study. 

"In addition to my professional duties, I prioritise maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Living in Wales provides a beautiful rural environment and allows me to live quite close to the beaches and mountains, which are great for going on walks and spending time with my children. I also love all the fresh produce I have access to in Wales, with locally sourced food a significant benefit for my family's wellbeing. Wales is a wonderful place for children to grow up in and has such a rich and amazing history, including many castles, which my children love to visit. 

"I am happy in my position as an ANP in the memory assessment service, and I am committed to staying in my current role as i really enjoy the work and it provides the stability I need as a parent. I am, however, open to considering new opportunities within the older adult mental health service should they arise in the future. NHS Wales’ investment in staff is remarkable. For those who put in dedicated effort and hard work, there are definitely opportunities to do well and progress in Wales. 

"With so much available in Wales, such as city, rural and coastal areas, I would encourage anyone considering relocating to Wales to research and find a community that best suits their needs. The welcome and support from the local community have made it easy for me to build strong friendships and call Wales my home. Finally, as someone who has taken a different route into nursing as a mature student and is now practicing as an advanced nurse practitioner, I can say it has been an amazing journey and one I am incredibly proud of.  

"I always make an effort to share my knowledge and offer encouragement to others who may be considering pursuing a career in nursing in Wales. Everyone's path is unique, and it is crucial to provide support and guidance along the way."