A mum who became a nurse so she could be a role model for her young daughter has received national recognition for her work.
Melissa Young, 32, from Birkenhead, was inspired to go into nursing following the birth of her little girl, and started her degree at the University of Chester in 2019. Having worked as a healthcare assistant before going to university, Melissa felt compelled to pluck up the confidence to give nursing a try.
She told the ECHO: “It sort of runs in the family to be honest. My mum was a carer and I have a couple of aunties who are nurses, so it's just something I always grew up seeing. I was 29 when I started my degree so it took a long time for me to build up my confidence."
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Melissa added: "Before that I’d been a healthcare assistant looking at the other nurses and wondering whether I could do it myself. I had my daughter when I was 27 and I decided that I just wanted to better myself for her and be a role model for her. I thought, 'I’ll just give it a go and see what happens.'”
Despite the pandemic putting extra strain on the NHS during recent years, Melissa has found the experience of being on the front line during such difficult circumstances very rewarding.
She said: “It’s fantastic. When you follow a patient’s journey and see them at the end, I absolutely love it. I just find it really rewarding to put my training into practice. I’m such a people person anyway so, for me, I really enjoy the social element too.”
And now Melissa has received national acclaim after being named Student Nurse of the Year at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards. The award aims to recognise an outstanding final year student and to celebrate the breadth of learning needed to join the industry.
Melissa was nominated by Yvette Heatley, Senior Lecturer in Acute Adult Care, for her performance during her placement which saw her demonstrate leadership and implement change, while keeping the patient experience at the centre of her work.
The 32-year-old said: “I’m really proud but I feel really lucky to be honest because our cohort of students is just fantastic. Everyone supports each other and I don’t think I’d be able to do what I’ve done without them. I think because of covid as well, it was almost like being in a family. I think all student nurses should be proud of the last few years because everyone’s worked so hard.”
Melissa has also hailed the support of staff at the University of Chester who helped to guide her through her time studying as a mature student.
Yvette, who proposed her for the Award, said: “We are so proud of Melissa and all she has achieved. She is a true credit to the University and the nursing profession as a whole. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things she is going to do in her career.”
Melissa is now looking forward to starting her nursing career after having accepted her first newly qualified nurse post in the community.
She told the ECHO: “I’m really excited to just get stuck in. With a placement, you’re having to move on every 6 to 12 weeks, so it will be nice to plant roots and develop going forward.”
