Nikki’s story
“Nursing stood out to me because it felt like a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives.”
When I was 17 years old and still in 6th year, I honestly didn’t have everything figured out. I was sitting my exams and felt unsure about what I wanted to do after school. Nursing stood out to me because it felt like a career where I could make a difference in people’s lives. I didn’t fully know what path I wanted to take yet and I had no idea how much I would love nursing and in particular Women’s Health. I have now been a nurse for almost forty years, and I am currently the Lead Nurse for Gynaecology and Early Pregnancy in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. In this role, I oversee inpatient and outpatient gynaecology services.
We like to start the day with positivity, so I always check in with the team and ask how they are. If someone isn’t feeling great, we share positivity cards with affirmations to lift the mood. As lead nurse, my schedule includes many meetings, but my favourites are those focused on service improvement, person-centred care, and building a positive culture. To give the team an understanding of the role, I invite nurses and students to spend “a day in the life of the lead nurse”. These experiences help them to feel encouraged about succession planning and they build insight and inspire future leaders.
My proudest moment was being nominated as Leader of the Year for Women & Children’s Services by the Director of Midwifery – a true honour that reflects the incredible support and collaboration within our team.
I have a genuine passion for women’s health and have worked in various roles within gynaecology for over 30 years. My career has focused heavily on service development, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see ideas come to life. The NHS has invested in people and promoted civility in recent years, which is key to creating a supportive working environment for everyone.
For anyone considering nursing or midwifery, I would recommend volunteering or working as a healthcare support worker first. This gives a realistic understanding of the role and its expectations. During training, you’ll have many experiences, so there’s no need to rush into deciding where your passion lies.
I feel very fortunate to have worked alongside a fantastic team and I am proud to have served the NHS for nearly forty years.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
In connection with Humans of Scotland, the ALLIANCE Person Centred Voices team launched a short film. In it, we hear from some of the incredible nurses and midwives we’ve had the honour of meeting over the years. This film is a celebration of person centred care, professional pride, and the human connections that sit at the heart of nursing and midwifery. You can watch the film here.
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