Publish date: 4 August 2026
Results day stories: Kelsey, Business Admin Apprentice
Ahead of results day, we’re celebrating the many different routes people take into rewarding NHS careers. Not everyone has their future mapped out at 18, and this story is a great reminder that career journeys can take unexpected turns before leading to the right opportunity.
Meet Kelsey!
What is your job title and where do you work?
Business Admin Apprentice, currently working within the Emergency Preparedness Team.
Can you tell us about your career journey so far?
My career journey has been anything but straightforward, but every step has helped me learn more about myself and what I want from a career. After leaving school, I went to college to study law while working weekends in a fish and chip shop. After my first year, I realised that law wasn't the career for me, so I decided to switch to travel and tourism because I liked the idea of becoming a travel agent one day. However, after some time, I felt that wasn't the right path for me either.
At that point, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, so I decided to focus on work and went full-time at the fish and chip shop. After a couple of years, I was ready for a change and started working at Morrisons. In 2014, I became pregnant with my first child and left my role there. I then went on to have two more children and spent several years as a stay-at-home mam, focusing on raising my family.
Once my children were old enough, I felt ready to return to work and started as a Domestic Assistant at North Tyneside General Hospital. I stayed in that role for two years and really enjoyed being part of the NHS. During that time, I started thinking more about my future and realised I wanted to build a career for myself and develop new skills. I applied for a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship within the trust and was successful. I am now working my way through the apprenticeship, gaining valuable experience and knowledge, and looking forward to seeing where my career in the NHS takes me next.
What does a typical day look like in your role as a Business Administration Apprentice?
As an Apprentice Business Administrator within the Emergency Preparedness Team, a typical day involves providing general administrative support to help the team run smoothly. I start by checking the department inbox and responding to or forwarding emails where needed. Throughout the day, I carry out printing and document preparation tasks, update spreadsheets and records when information changes, and support colleagues with a range of administrative requests. I also help organise files and ensure information is kept up to date and easy to access. The role involves working with different teams across the organisation, managing a variety of tasks, and staying organised to ensure work is completed accurately and on time.
What do you enjoy most about working for Northumbria Healthcare?
What I like most about working for the trust is the everyone is friendly, approachable and always happy to help if you need it. I've worked within the trust as a Domestic before starting my apprenticeship, so I've been able to see firsthand how supportive teams can be across the organisation. Moving into my Business Administration role has given me the chance to learn new skills, try to build my confidence and develop professionally, while still feeling part of the same wider team. It's also rewarding to know that whatever role you're in, you're helping to support services that make a real difference to staff, patients and the local community.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I'd tell myself not to panic if I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. There's this idea that you should have your whole future sorted at 18, but the reality is most people are just figuring it out as they go. Give yourself time, try new things, and don't be afraid to change your mind. The right path will come along, and you'll end up where you're meant to be, even if it's not the route you expected.
To discover careers at Northumbria Healthcare, click here.