Cal’s story
“I am driven by the knowledge that effective education directly improves patient care.”
As a university lecturer, at Robert Gordon University, specialising in nursing education, my typical day revolves around shaping the next generation of compassionate, competent and confident healthcare professionals.
My daily role centres on delivering high‑quality teaching, designing meaningful experiences, and ensuring all learning aligns with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I provide pastoral support to students, recognising the challenges associated with nursing education and the importance of wellbeing in professional development. I also deliver Basic Life Support (BLS) training, ensuring learners build essential clinical skills grounded in safety and best practice.
My broader responsibilities include interviewing prospective student nurses, participating in outreach initiatives, and engaging with individuals interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. Through these activities, I strive to promote nursing as an inclusive, rewarding profession and ensure that our programmes attract motivated and capable candidates.
My motivation to pursue nursing began with personal experiences, as a patient and relative, of the profound impact (both positive and negative) that healthcare professionals can have on their patients and those around them. This inspired my commitment to a career rooted in empathy, advocacy, and strong clinical practice.
Today, I am driven by the knowledge that effective education directly improves patient care. Supporting students as they develop skills, confidence, and resilience reminds me that my teaching has a meaningful and lasting influence. Their growth translates into better practice, improved outcomes, and compassionate care for countless individuals and communities, continually reinforcing my passion for nursing education.
One of my proudest career moments within education has been receiving positive feedback from my students. Hearing them describe my teaching as supportive and engaging is incredibly meaningful. Knowing that providing pastoral support helped them overcome challenges is lovely. A good day at work is one where I can see students genuinely growing in confidence, skill, and ability. It is deeply rewarding when the students provide positive feedback and appear passionate. For me, the best days are those when the learning environment feels alive: students are engaged, asking questions, supporting each other, and leaving the room feeling more capable than when they arrived.
What keeps me motivated is the knowledge that my work directly contributes to preventing harm and improving the public’s experience of nursing care. Seeing the long‑term impact of well‑prepared, compassionate students entering practice reinforces the importance of high‑quality education and drives me to continually give my best.
To anyone considering nursing or midwifery, I would say this: if you genuinely care about people, approach others without judgement, and understand the challenges individuals and families face, this profession can be incredibly rewarding. It is demanding and requires resilience, but it also offers profound personal growth and unforgettable experiences.
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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