Sarah’s story
"These professions offer so many different paths and opportunities to grow, develop, and make a real difference in people’s lives."
I have a unique role that combines education, training, and recruitment. I lead on graduate nurse recruitment, generic healthcare support worker recruitment, and modern apprenticeships. I also support our international nurses as they prepare for their exams and deliver education sessions on a range of topics. As part of my role, I attend recruitment fairs to speak with prospective employees and visit schools to provide insight into the wide variety of roles and opportunities available within the healthcare profession. In addition, I visit clinical areas to review different aspects of the service and care being delivered. During these visits, we speak with staff and patients to gain an overview of how the area functions, and this is measured against national standards to help ensure the best possible outcomes for both staff and patients.
When I left school, I wanted to become a midwife, but I was not accepted into university. My dad encouraged me to apply for adult nursing with the intention of converting to midwifery later in my career. I am very grateful for his advice, as I have truly loved being a nurse. I find great satisfaction in helping others, particularly vulnerable people, and in supporting patients and their families through difficult times. I enjoy working in a fast-paced, acute environment that keeps me challenged and engaged. Nursing also offers so many opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
A good day for me is one where I can support my colleagues, help managers by filling vacancies, and make a positive difference to the wider team. I enjoy being able to provide training and education to staff, encouraging them to develop their skills, grow in confidence, and progress in their careers. It is particularly rewarding to know that my role can have such a direct impact on both staff experience and patient care. One of my proudest achievements so far has been maintaining a 100% pass rate for our internationally recruited nurses sitting their exams, which reflects the value of the support and guidance we provide.
I would tell anyone considering nursing or midwifery as a career that the sky is the limit. These professions offer so many different paths and opportunities to grow, develop, and make a real difference in people’s lives. Although there will always be challenging days, the privilege of caring for others and supporting people through some of the most important moments in their lives makes it incredibly rewarding.
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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