A 30-year dream becomes a reality for Lincolnshire Nurse

A 30-year dream becomes a reality for Lincolnshire Nurse

You’ll find Nina Williamson caring for patients as she has done for the past 15 years of her career, in people’s homes and care homes across Lincoln. But this week she has a spring in her step as she’s caring for patients, for the first time, as a registered community nurse. 

Nina has qualified, after 30 years in the NHS, through the apprentice registered nurse degree which is funded by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) and delivered through the University of Lincoln.  

As well as recruiting apprentices into the organisation, LCHS also offers ongoing apprenticeship training for staff at all levels, which means that staff members can grow and develop their skills within the organisation. 

Since she was 18, Nina had a dream of becoming a nurse. She started to train as a nurse when she left school, but circumstances meant Nina had to leave the course. But she didn’t give up on her dream and decided to get hands on experience working as an ambulance technician for East Midlands Ambulance Service.  

Fourteen years later, Nina became a healthcare support worker for LCHS, working as part of the Lincoln North Integrated Care Team, where she has just returned officially as a registered community nurse.  

Nina said: “I’m a bit humbled by the journey LCHS has allowed me to go on. If I’d have gone through the normal route, I couldn’t have afforded to run my house and look after my family. But this way I was able to study whilst being paid and I’ve left university with no debt too!

“I really enjoyed being an apprentice. I dreaded going thinking that I would be the oldest person on the course, but I wasn’t and everyone was really supportive.  

“I’m very appreciative of everything the organisation has done for me, I’ve never left LCHS since I started because of the support I’ve received and I’m very thankful.” 

Nina was one of four staff members from LCHS in this cohort, and she was able to study with colleagues from the wider NHS Lincolnshire system, including staff from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.  

Lee Gifford, apprentice lead at LCHS said: “I’m so pleased that we’re able to support Nina to become a Community Registered Nurse with LCHS. Our apprenticeships are a key part of the LCHS strategy to build a productive, quality and supported workforce. Currently, almost 7% of the LCHS workforce is completing an apprenticeship which is something we're very proud of.”  

As a community nurse, Nina will work closely with people from the wider Lincolnshire health and care system including GP practice staff, social care staff and St Barnabas and Macmillan teams, to ensure care is joined up for patients. 

Most of Nina’s patients are housebound and receive great care in their homes. Nina described it as a privilege to be able to care for people at home.  

Nina continued: “It’s nice knowing I’m now working in the team as a community nurse. I’m really proud of myself. I’m just getting started as a registered nurse, but I can already see future progression routes if I decide to continue my journey, which feels really encouraging.” 

“I’ve worked in the NHS for over 30 years now, and I’ve just qualified. It really is never too late and you’re never too old to follow your dreams.” 

During her employment with LCHS, Nina has been supported to continue to develop and undertake a range of training, including completing a foundation degree to become an assistant practitioner in 2013. 

Apprenticeships are a fantastic route to a career in the NHS, they offer people of all ages the chance to earn while they learn and build a successful career. 

If anyone is interested in becoming an apprentice in the healthcare sector, please visit LCHS’s website.