Hard work sees UCLan graduate Amy receive three dream offers

17 December 2019

Graduate Amy starts work as neonatal nurse after completing degree

A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) graduate who left work with three job offers has already started work in her dream job.

Amy Johnson, 23, from Clock Face in St Helens, graduated with a 2:1 in Nursing, specialising in children and young people over her three-year undergraduate degree. 

After impressing during the course, she has now started work as a neonatal nurse, providing care for sick or premature babies at Warrington Hospital, choosing the role above two other nursing posts she was offered after finishing university.

Amy started the course after developing an interest in nursing while at college and was attracted by the course allowing students to learn on the job by undertaking practical experience in work placements across the North West.

Undertaking five work placements during her time at UCLan, Amy went on to create a final year portfolio which astounded her academic advisor, due to its detailed and reflective nature. Similarly, Amy’s motivation to the course was noted, as she worked multiple part-time jobs at the same time as completing her placements and coursework.

Thanks to her hard work, Amy was offered jobs at multiple North West hospitals in children’s nursing before she accepted her current role, which allows her to continue to train and study to become a specialised neonatal nurse.

"Neonatal children’s nursing is such a fulfilling job, as you support the child and family as they are growing up and you get to know them. The job is even better than I could have imagined it."

Amy said: “The course at UCLan has really helped me to find a job that I love. The range of placements, along with helpful tutors that were always available to support and offer me guidance, made UCLan’s course the one for me and I am so glad that I chose to study here.

“Nursing is such a rewarding job and as soon as I started, I knew I was going to love it. I’ve really enjoyed every aspect of studying to be a nurse, from learning the anatomy and physiology required through to getting hands on and really helping children and families to overcome or live with an illness from an early age.

“Neonatal children’s nursing is such a fulfilling job, as you support the child and family as they are growing up and you get to know them. The job is even better than I could have imagined it.”

Amy is one of 1,500 students who graduated in front of her family at UCLan’s Preston campus last week. Amy was accompanied by grandma Nina and boyfriend Luke at the celebration event.