When Bob first started his training, he was full of nerves and doubted himself, worried that he might be too old, and questioned whether he’d chosen the right path. But now he’s well on his way to be being qualified and feels an enormous sense of pride in how he has grown not just as a student nurse, but as a person.
Bob says:
“I never imagined I’d have this much confidence in myself. The journey has been tough at times, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. In the beginning, I struggled with the academic side of the nursing degree. Having been out of education for years, returning to study was daunting. Essays, references, research - all of it felt overwhelming. But with time, practice, and fantastic support from my tutors, I found my rhythm. Slowly, I began to see that I could do it. Each assignment handed in, and each hurdle passed, gave me the energy and enthusiasm to keep working towards my goal.
“It wasn’t just the coursework that shaped me. My placements played a huge role too. I’ll never forget my first day stepping onto a ward. I felt completely out of my depth, unsure of what to say or do. But the staff welcomed me, encouraged me, and gave me the chance to learn at my own pace. Those early experiences taught me the importance of resilience and reminded me why I wanted to be a nurse in the first place.
“Throughout my training, I’ve had the chance to work in so many different areas -community, surgical, medical, and emergency care. Each placement offered something new and tested me in different ways. At first, I worried that I wouldn’t cope with the fast pace or the pressure. But the more I pushed myself, the more I discovered what I was capable of.
“I found that I thrived in busy environments, where no two days were the same. I loved the teamwork, the variety, and the challenge of thinking on my feet. Of course, there were difficult days too, times when I came home exhausted or emotional. But even those moments became valuable learning opportunities. They taught me that nursing isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, giving your best, being part of a team and supporting people when they need you most.
“The biggest change has been in my confidence. When I started, I second-guessed every decision and constantly compared myself to others. Now, I see how much knowledge and experience I’ve gained. I trust myself more and I know when to ask for help. I’ve realised that no one expects you to have all the answers straight away as nursing is a lifelong journey of learning.
“One of the proudest moments of my training was receiving positive feedback from patients and their families. Hearing them say, “Thank you, you really made a difference,” it made all the long hours and hard work worthwhile. It reminded me that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a huge impact.
“I couldn’t have got through the last few years without the people around me. My partner, family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders, encouraging me when I felt like giving up. My Personal Tutor, along with all the other staff in department at Aberystwyth played a huge role in helping me find my pace and develop - and were hugely supportive when things were difficult. They pushed me to believe in myself and helped me see strengths I didn’t always recognise. I never felt like just another name or number; there was always a feeling that there was someone at my back. There were times when I doubted whether I could finish the course, but the support I received made all the difference. I learned that asking for help isn’t a weakness - it’s a strength.
“Now, as I step into my first role as a qualified nurse, I feel excited about the future. I know there will be challenges ahead, but I also know I have the skills and resilience to face them. I want to keep learning, keep growing, and explore different opportunities within nursing. Whether that means specialising in a certain area, taking on a leadership role, or continuing my studies in the future, I feel ready to embrace whatever comes next.
“More than anything, I want to make a difference. I want to be the kind of nurse who listens, who shows compassion, and who supports people through some of the toughest moments of their lives. This journey has taught me that I’m stronger than I ever realised. If I can do this, I believe I can take on whatever comes next.
“For anyone thinking about nursing, especially those who worry they’re not capable enough or that they’ve left it too late, I’d say, just go for it! It’s not always plain sailing, but overcoming the challenges will make it the most rewarding thing you’ll ever do. You’ll grow in ways you can’t imagine, both professionally and personally, and you’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had."