Celebrating Keele University Apprentices who have impacted our communities

My name is Karen Cotici, and I am a registered nurse apprentice on the Adult Nursing Pathway. The role of the adult nurse involves being part of a team that provides care plans and looks after adult patients. I worked in the NHS for ten years as a healthcare assistant, and I was truly impressed by the level of care the NHS provides to its patients. When an apprenticeship opportunity became available within my trust, it was a way for me to continue my learning, develop my career, and still earn a salary to provide for my family.

When we started as apprentices, the pandemic had hit, and we found ourselves in the midst of it. One valuable lesson I learned during the pandemic was how to communicate effectively through technology. During my placement in the A&E department, I observed a method of managing beds within the hospital that didn't make much sense to me. I was able to apply my knowledge of innovation and business plans to propose my own innovative solution. This led to the development of an electronic bed management system that will soon be implemented across Mid-Cheshire Hospital.

Being a visible presence in the community has allowed me to let people know that there is support available for them. My community placement gave me a whole new perspective on what a community nurse does. The care provided isn't just focused on the patient but also extends to their families and friends. As a result of my experiences, I had the opportunity to publish a blog for the Queens Nursing Institute about stepping out of my comfort zone, transitioning from A&E to the hospital environment, and working in the community.

I am passionate about what the NHS provides for our patients and its staff. I wouldn't change my career pathway now; I absolutely love working in the NHS.