The 25-year-old from Barrow-in-Furness, who achieved a First Class Honours in BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health), is now enjoying her dream job as a community mental health nurse in Lincoln, with ambitions to progress quickly.
Jade is determined to help others needing mental health support to get the care they deserve:
“Much of the help I received fell short but it spurred me on to enter the profession and do things differently.
“I’m going to be a catalyst for change within imperfect systems.
“I want to climb the ladder, become a change management leader and put things in place that are more appropriate for patients, like trauma-informed care.
“I’ll start by creating healthy workplace cultures where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and any feedback is constructive.
“A team that feels supported is open to learning and trying out new things.
“Ultimately, this improves the quality of patient care.”
Jade’s drive and determination have remained steadfast despite health challenges and finding herself in care at 16. Her love of learning kept her focused on her future:
“During the challenging times, education was my lifeline. College was where I got to focus on something else. I loved getting away from the house, being surrounded by like-minded people and the sense of achievement in getting good grades.
“I kept getting uprooted and had to move college three times. It showed how important education was to me because I never gave up.”
Jade’s been recognised for her achievements in the face of adversity. She was awarded an Edge Hill Excellence Scholarship and was shortlisted for Most Inspirational Student of the Year at the coveted Student Nursing Times Awards 2024.
She has taken every opportunity while studying at Edge Hill, including spending a month in Tanzania where she experienced a range of nursing disciplines, including maternity and oncology. She’ll soon build on this experience with a working trip to Bali.
The University supported Jade practically and pastorally with her elective placement and, as a care leaver, staff were on hand to help her with her move to Lincoln.
“I was a bit stressed when I started my final year. I was looking for jobs and places to live while preparing for exams. I’ve come straight from care to uni and now I’m off into the big, wide world. I wasn’t sure what I needed to do.
“The student support team was really helpful. My contact was there for casual support and advice. When I had a lot going on, she helped me organise and prioritise.
“I wish I’d known about the support earlier but when I started at Edge Hill, I didn’t say I was a care leaver. I would definitely encourage others to be honest about your experience and make the most of the available support from the start.”
And Jade would certainly recommend Edge Hill to prospective students in similar circumstances to her:
“It’s not an overwhelming campus so it feels safe and homely: that’s why I chose it. There’s quality accommodation and so much support, from student volunteers welcoming you and encouraging you to mingle, to the friendly housekeepers who are always happy to chat.
“I want care leavers to recognise they have as much right to be at university as somebody with a conventional upbringing. People didn’t think I’d make it to uni, but believe in yourself and do what you want to do. Feel the fear and do it anyway! If you’re willing to give it your all, uni life is so rewarding.”
Find out more about mental health nursing and the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine at Edge Hill University.
October 29, 2024
