This Nurse Can campaign challenges stereotypes and highlights diverse opportunities within nursing careers
By: Communications
A new campaign has been launched celebrating the diverse experiences and career paths available through nursing qualifications at the University of East Anglia (UEA).
"This Nurse Can" showcases nine individuals, each with unique paths into nursing and equally rewarding experiences in their careers.
This includes individuals who have taken their expertise worldwide, working in diverse settings and specialisms such as mental health, ophthalmology, air ambulances, and cruise ships, as well as in research, management, and academia—all united not by place but a collective purpose.
Amy Buxton, Head of Aftercare for East Anglian Air ambulance, was awarded her nursing degree by UEA in 2003 and has worked in a variety of roles.
Amy began her nursing career in a hospital, focusing on women's and gynaecological care. Today, she works with an air ambulance team and loves the unpredictability of each day. Her time is spent in various ways, from talking with patients to providing bereavement counselling and addressing aftercare needs. For Amy, it’s always about the people—a responsibility she describes as "a real privilege and honour."
Amy said: “There are so many roles out there in nursing that are not traditional roles. What I really love about my role at the air ambulance is that no two days are the same. For me the biggest misconception is that it’s just for girls. I’ve been really very privileged to have lots of different careers in nursing that have been really unique. I’ve been a health visitor, I’ve worked in sexual assault, and now I work at the Air Ambulance.
Joe Ellis-Gage is a nurse practitioner with a diverse background in both clinical settings and private industry. Since beginning his career in 2008 after earning a BSc in Children’s Nursing, he has come full circle and started lecturing at UEA in 2021.
Joe has worked in both children's and adult nursing, taking on roles such as Emergency Nurse Practitioner and Deputy Charge Nurse. During the COVID pandemic, he served in a Children's Assessment Unit and a Paediatric COVID inpatient department. Additionally, Joe managed a children's emergency department and ran his own nursing-related business, while also working in NHS management.
Joe said: “I really enjoyed being a student studying nursing at the UEA. Throughout my three years I enjoyed all aspects of the course. I enjoyed the campus and the way that we were taught nursing through the structure of the course. I was always involved in teaching so there was natural pull that would bring me back to teaching at the University. One of the draws was that there had been a recent rebuild to make the best of the use of simulation technology. It all builds together to make a really interactive and enjoyable course. Nursing is far more varied with lots of opportunities to move, taking the skills of the previous job into the next one.”
Find out more about This Nurse Can
Gabriel Abotsie joined the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, gaining experience in various specialised mental health settings, including medium secure and acute mental health wards. He pursued his interest in research by completing an MSc in Health Sciences in 2011.
Raubina Kauser has been a nurse for over 20 years. After starting her nursing career in a small community hospital on an acute medical ward, Raubina gained a really good foundation in the profession through a preceptorship programme, that gives a period of structured transition to guide and support newly qualified practitioners from students to autonomous professionals.
This experience led her into A&E within a large NHS teaching hospital and major trauma centre. After working for several years in A&E where, through guidance, support and teaching from many role models, Raubina embarked on a new chapter by obtaining a role as a senior nurse on board cruise ships, a job that takes her round the world.
Sophina Gapare's nursing career evolved from her initial qualification to her current role as the Quality & Process Improvement Director at International Medical Group (IMG), a global company headquartered in the United States.
Sophina is responsible for all quality assurance initiatives, focused on improving the customer experience at IMG. In her senior management role, her responsibilities span a wide range of tasks required for operations. These include performing clinical duties, coordinating complex logistical operations, and organizing people and medical resources effectively around the world.
Piers Harrison-Reid is both a performance poet and an A&E nurse. He graduated from UEA in 2015 and has since performed at numerous events, using poetry to express his passion for the NHS and nursing.
Louise Sunar is a mature student; Louise completed her BSc in Adult Nursing in 2022. During her time at UEA, she served as a student representative for her cohort and participated in the inaugural Chief Nursing Officer's Shared Decision-Making Council for nurses and midwives, gaining valuable insight into decision-making within the profession. Since qualifying, Louise has specialised in ophthalmology and focused her research on supporting individuals with diabetic retinopathy.
Marnie Godbolt began her healthcare career in a nursing home, where she discovered her passion for caring for and supporting people. After earning a degree in adult nursing and gaining experience in the emergency department, she now works with the East of England Ambulance Service. In this role, she handles emergencies and provides emergency medical care and trauma support, making a real difference.
For a comprehensive overview of all nine case studies showcasing diverse nursing careers, as well as details on how to apply for courses in Mental Health, Children and Young People, and Adult Nursing—or to register for an Open Day - visit This Nurse Can on the UEA website.
Starting next month, buses in Norwich will display additional information about the This Nurse Can campaign, offering guidance on applying for courses at the University of East Anglia and exploring a career in the multifaceted field of nursing.
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