Full Name: Nicky Lloyd

Job Title: School Staff Nurse

When did you first become a nurse and where did you do your training?

I always knew from a young age that I wanted to be a nurse. So at 16 I did a 2-year pre-nursing college course, along side work experience at the Community College Hospital in Wellington. After this, I started my nursing training at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital - where I’m proud to say I was the first student nurse to ever work at Telford Hospital. I stayed there until I left the profession after having my son.

What did you enjoy about nursing when you first started the career?

I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the age of 10 - I can clearly remember writing about nursing qualifications! There was nothing else I could imagine myself doing.

What I loved about nursing, and still do, is the variation of the role. During my training I moved every 9 weeks, and I can’t say I disliked any of it!

What made you decide to leave the nursing profession? And how did it make you feel?

Leaving the nursing profession was such a difficult decision. It was a situation where I had to put my family first. My son was young at the time, and my husband decided to start his own business. I was only wanted to be out for 2 years, but it ended up being 12 years.

When did you realise that you would like to begin nursing again? What was it about nursing that you missed?

I never intended on being out of nursing for so long – the years just flew by. But as soon as my son was going to start senior school, that was when I decided I wanted to return to practice. I knew that if I didn’t return then, I was never going to.

How did you hear about the return to practice programme, and what steps did you take to sign up to the course?

Once I’d decided I wanted to sign-up to the return to practice course, I went onto the website where I found and got in touch with my local return to practice course leader. I then did a maths exam, a short essay as well as an interview, which was really relaxed.

Did you have any worries or concerns about returning to nursing?

I was worried about taking the maths exam, but I really shouldn’t have been. I had a really great tutor from Staffordshire University, who supported me the whole way through.

The return to practice programme was brilliant, it gave me the confidence I didn’t have to get back onto the wards.

How would you describe the moment when you first stepped back onto the ward again?

It was a strange feeling to put my uniform back on. I was nervous, but so excited – they probably didn’t know what had hit them! Luckily, everyone was so friendly and welcoming, it was as if I’d never been away.

I didn’t think I’d get offered a job straight away, but I was offered a role in A&E, as well as a School Staff Nurse – which is the role I have today. It’s great, I was so happy as it is where my heart lay. Being a mum, I find that children find it easy to relate to me. The kids are different ages, so no day is the same – which I love. Often the kids just want someone to talk to. It’s so rewarding to think that I’m impacting their life in a positive way.

What has changed in nursing now compared to when you first started the career?  What are the benefits of nursing now?

Being a nurse hasn’t changed massively. The only thing that has altered is that the role now has more academic reasoning. Before, I would always do what my Sister told me to do.  Life experiences also change you, but it just makes you see things in a different light. Otherwise, the paperwork hasn’t changed, patients haven’t changed and the reasons why I love nursing never will change.

What would you say are the main qualities of a nurse?  How would you describe your fellow nurses?

I don’t think you can be anything but caring. It’s not something that can be taught – it’s just within you.

What is your most favorite memory or story from nursing?

When I was a student nurse, an elderly lady took a shine to me. She was on the geriatric ward and was very poorly. Sadly, she died, but I was there when it happened. All of her family were so appreciative and comforted that I was there for her. She was such a lovely lady, I’ll never forget.