Publish date: 4 August 2026
Results day stories: from estate agency to nursing
Ahead of Results Day, we're highlighting the many different paths people take into rewarding NHS careers. Not everyone follows a traditional route, and sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
Meet Laura!
What is your job title and where do you work?
Registered Nurse Associate, Outpatients Wansbeck.
Can you tell us about your career journey so far?
When I left school, I wasn't sure what career I wanted to pursue, so I went to college and completed an NVQ in Travel and Tourism. Although I enjoyed the course, I realised it wasn't the career path for me. I worked in a variety of roles before beginning a career in estate agency, where I started as a Sales Negotiator and progressed to Lettings Manager. I spent over 10 years in the industry, developing strong communication, organisational, and customer service skills.
Although I enjoyed my role, I had always wanted to become a nurse. As a single mum to my daughter, Scarlet, the traditional university route wasn't financially possible. When I heard that Northumbria offered the Nursing Associate apprenticeship programme, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to achieve my goal.
To begin my journey, I joined the trust as a Healthcare Assistant in Urology, working Monday to Friday, which fitted well around my childcare responsibilities. After five months, I successfully applied for the Student Nursing Associate apprenticeship. Two years later, in June 2026, I proudly qualified as a Registered Nursing Associate.
This was one of my biggest achievements. I hadn't studied academically since college 17 years earlier, so completing a foundation degree while working and raising my daughter was something I never imagined I could do. The support I received throughout the apprenticeship made a huge difference and helped me succeed.
Since qualifying, I have started my role as a Registered Nursing Associate in Outpatients.
I am really enjoying developing my clinical skills, learning about different specialties, and providing high-quality, patient-centred care. Looking ahead, I would like to continue my professional development and eventually progress to become a Registered Nurse. For now, I am focused on gaining experience, building my confidence, and making the most of the learning opportunities available in my current role.
The apprenticeship route gave me the opportunity to earn while I learned, meaning I could continue supporting my family without taking on university debt. It allowed me to achieve a career that I am truly passionate about, and I am incredibly proud of how far I have come.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
As a Registered Nursing Associate in Outpatients, I support a wide range of specialist clinics, including Orthopaedics, Breast, Upper GI, Lower GI, Podiatry, Rheumatology, and Plastics. My role involves preparing clinic rooms, ensuring all equipment and documentation are ready, and helping clinics run efficiently. I regularly work in dressing clinics, where I assess and care for patients following surgery. This includes carrying out wound assessments, performing dressing changes, monitoring for signs of infection, providing patients with advice on wound care, and escalating any concerns to the appropriate clinician.
I work closely with the multidisciplinary team, including consultants, specialist nurses, healthcare assistants, and administrative staff, to ensure patients receive safe, effective, and person-centred care. I also work in the Trauma Clinic and Virtual Fracture Clinic, supporting orthopaedic surgeons with patient reviews. As part of the Virtual Fracture Clinic, I contact patients to discuss their outcomes, explain the next steps in their treatment, answer any questions within my scope of practice, and ensure they understand their management plan.
What do you enjoy most about working for Northumbria Healthcare?
Working across multiple specialties has enabled me to develop a broad range of clinical skills, increase my confidence, and adapt to different patient needs. I enjoy the variety that outpatient nursing offers and value the opportunity to support patients throughout their treatment while continuing to learn and develop professionally.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I'd tell myself not to worry so much about what other people are doing or whether I'm "behind." Everyone reaches their goals at different times. I didn't become a nurse associate in the traditional way, but I found a route that worked for me while raising my daughter as a single mum. Looking back, I'm incredibly proud that I kept believing in myself, even when it felt challenging. Keep working hard, be kind to yourself, and don't be afraid to take opportunities...they might just change your life.
To discover careers at Northumbria Healthcare, click here.