Graduation 2026: Della Mantle’s journey from nurse to doctor
By: Communications
This week, Della Mantle achieved an incredible milestone – graduating from Norwich Medical School – as she journeys to a new chapter in medicine.
At 42, she is the oldest student in her year, completing an extraordinary journey from experienced nurse to newly qualified doctor.
Originally from Cambridgeshire and now living in Norwich with her husband, Gee, and their three sons – Joseph (15), Bradley (13) and Thomas (7) – Della has spent almost two decades caring for patients.
After graduating from UEA's nursing programme in 2008, she worked for seven years on the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's orthopaedic ward, before moving into recovery.
A chance meeting with a mature medical student while working in general practice sparked a life-changing idea for her – that becoming a doctor was still possible. In 2021, she took that leap.
Throughout her medical degree, she continued working nurse bank shifts while balancing the demands of family life and study. Now, with graduation in sight and her first doctor role beginning at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital later this month, Della is preparing for the next chapter of her career.
What first planted the idea of retraining as a doctor, and what ultimately made you take the leap?
“I think it was when I worked at the GP practice and met a medical student in her 40s, I didn't realise it was possible to do it after 18 until then. She talked about everything she was learning and it sounded brilliant, and I realised I always wanted to know everything the doctors know.
“I also met a lot of female GPs that were successfully juggling being a doctor with having kids, which showed me it was possible.”
What has it been like returning to full-time study as a mature student?
“It's been amazing, I have loved it. Learning really excites my brain and makes me feel alive. Having five Christmases and summers off with my children has been a huge privilege, something I could not have had as a working nurse.”
How did you balance being a mum of three with such a demanding course – were there any particularly tough moments, or things that helped you make it work?
“Often, I would go to the UEA Library to study for a few hours in the evening after putting Thomas (my littlest) to bed. The peace and quiet away from the busyness of my household really helped me focus and meant that when I was at home, I could give the children my full attention.
“I am a night owl and feel very energised in the evenings, so this worked well for me. Instead of cramming for exams, I studied little and often (one to two hours a day) and worked steadily throughout the year, as I knew I would not be able to drop everything and revise for 12 hours a day before an exam, like a person without children could.”
Image: Della and her family together on a family outing and at her UEA graduation day
What has been the highlight of studying medicine at UEA?
“Making some brilliant close friends. I was not expecting to be able to make close friends due to the age difference, but it turned out that age didn't matter. I clicked with a few people, and we have really helped carry each other through and supported each other through the tough moments like exam revision.”
Is there anything about the course, teaching, placements, or UEA community that really stood out for you?
“I loved the fact that we start seeing patients right from the start of year one. This was the highlight for me as I love working with patients, and I think you can learn so much more from talking to a real person with a condition than reading about it in a book.”
How did it feel studying alongside much younger students, and what do you think you brought to the cohort as a mature student?
“They are absolutely lovely, and I was so impressed at the ones who come straight from school with a mature hard-working attitude – I was not ready to do this at 18.”
What do your children think of you training to become a doctor?
“I think they are proud of me. I hope I am showing them that with enough hard work and perseverance practically anything is possible, and to inspire them to find a career that excites and fulfils them, have confidence in yourself and don't be afraid to take a leap of faith.”
What kind of medicine are you hoping to go into after graduation?
“I have a job at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for two years after qualifying, where I will rotate around medical and surgical wards and intensive care. My long-term plan is to be an anaesthetist.”
Why does that specialty appeal to you?
“In my job as a recovery nurse, I worked with anaesthetists every day and I love how they are so knowledgeable and calm in the face of a crisis. Having surgery can be scary and you need to trust the person putting you under.
“My years as a nurse means I am very good at building a rapport with patients and feel this job suits my personality of being calm and friendly, good under stress and I would love to develop the high level of practical skills and knowledge necessary – which I will find exciting and challenging.”
You’re the Founder and President of UEA Anaesthetics and Critical Care Society – what inspired you to set this up?
“I attended some anaesthetics conferences at other universities in London and Leicester that I really enjoyed, and I saw that UEA didn't have its own anaesthetics society.
“So, I wanted to create a society where I could meet other students interested in the specialty, where we could put on fun and educational events to learn more about the specialty and develop relevant skills like intubation which are not in the core curriculum at medical school.”
What were you hoping the society would offer students, and what are you most proud of achieving with it?
“We ran multiple airways sessions for students to practice skills such as intubation and bronchoscopy, which are not normally taught in medical school.
“I am really proud of the mock OSCE (practical exam) we put on for more than 80 fifth-year medical students to help them prepare for finals, and a collaborative Anaesthetics and Emergency Care conference with the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University – which had 100 attendees from all over East Anglia.”
Image L-R: Della (left) during her time as a UEA Medical Student; Della (middle) at the East of England Acute Specialities Conference 2026
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