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Don’t just take our word for it that a career in healthcare is rewarding and satisfying.
Hear from some of our graduates as they share their experiences of studying at UEA, life beyond graduation, their aspirations and what advice they’d give as you embark upon this exciting next step in your education.
- Midwifery
- BSc Nursing
- BSc Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy
- BSc Paramedic and Operating Department Practice
- MSc Nursing
- MSc Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy
- Apprenticeships
Awards and prize money
You will also have the opportunity to win school awards with prize money.
Our Boards of Examiners award prizes at the end of each academic year in recognition of academic achievement and marks.
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Laura Millican - BSc Midwifery
I graduated from the UEA in August 2021. My first job was working as a pre-reg midwife, and I am now a fully registered midwife working in a local trust.
My favourite part of my job is supporting and caring for women and their families, being able to give personalised and patient centred care. It's amazing to be part of such a huge moment in someone else's life, and it’s a privilege to be able to support and facilitate women throughout their antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal journeys to ensure they have the best experience of pregnancy and childbirth as possible.
The most challenging part of my job is the paperwork! I wish we could give more time to the women we are working with than the amount of paperwork and admin we need to complete.
I would like to be remembered for being positive and bubbly, and always willing to help others.
I admire all the midwives I have worked alongside throughout my training, but especially during the pandemic when staffing was stretched, and people were pushed to their limits. Even in those moments, the midwives I / we worked alongside side wanted to teach us and help us become better practitioners.
My greatest achievement is qualifying with a first-class degree, with my three children and hubby in tow (all learning midwifery with me and on the journey with me). I’ve never put myself in the academia bracket, but this degree has taught me that if you have passion for something you can do anything.
In 10 years, I’d still like to be working in midwifery, but where exactly I am still not sure. I see myself co-ordinating or managing a team one day. But for now, I need to just be me and build on my skills, independence and further my knowledge.
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Verity Coe - BSc Midwifery
I graduated from UEA in August 2022 and my first job was as a newly qualified midwife at NNUH
I love advocating for pregnant and birthing people’s choices and building a rapport with such a variety of different people and families because I love being able to form meaningful connections with people.
Working nights can be challenging! I really struggle to feel rested and ready to go on night shifts, but a good supportive team really helps.
I would love to be remembered for being positive and hard working.
I really admire the midwifery coordinators at work, I’m always amazed how they make me feel so supported whilst also overseeing a whole ward and supporting the rest of team.
Graduating with a first-class degree and securing my dream job in my favourite city is definitely my greatest achievement!
In ten years’ time I would love to potentially be a delivery suite coordinator or a practice development midwife.
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Lily Neame - BSc Children’s Nursing
When starting Children's Nursing at UEA, I always knew I wanted to go into working in a hospital. I originally thought I’d stay in Norwich because I loved it so much, and applied to work at the local hospital. After three years, I thought it would be good to have a change of scenery so I moved to London... but I still can't help but visit beautiful Norwich.
After finishing university, I spent my summer exploring the Philippines for 7 weeks. This should be on your travel bucket list!! I have since moved in to a flat in London with my best friends, and am now working at Great Ormond Street hospital, as a band 5 Staff Nurse.
As a nurse, my main priority is to be an advocate for my patients and listen to any concerns the patient or family has. I carry out assessments on children, draw up and administer medications, and review their progress. The best bit about being a children's nurse in particular, is making sure the child's stay in hospital is FUN!
My degree gave me the practical skills I needed to be a nurse through placement experiences for three years. It made me more confident when meeting new people and gave me a vast mass of knowledge from human anatomy to theories relating to health behaviours.
A professional achievement I am proud of is getting a job at one of the leading children's hospitals in the world!
My advice to current students is to get stuck in on placements, and don't be afraid to ask questions and say you don't know how to do something. Organise spoke placements with other organisations relating to your study if possible!
I plan on Living in London for the next few years and then hopefully travel and work in humanitarian aid at some point! Who knows...
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Michael Bonner – BSc Adult Nursing
I graduated from the BSc Adult Nursing programme in 2022.
My first job after graduation was as a Registered Nurse and I’m currently working as a Staff Nurse rotational post Respiratory/ Critical Care Complex at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals Trust. In this job I feel like I make a difference although there are challenges with organisational pressures which can make completing tasks feel pressured.
I would most like to be remembered for my dedication and hard work.
I consider my adult nursing degree to be my greatest achievement and I really admire some of the placement mentors I had during my degree
In ten years’ time I hope to be a clinical nurse specialist.
My fact that always surprises people is that I’ve snowboarded down a volcano!
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Agata Gebura – BSc Mental Health Nursing
I graduated from UEA in February 2022 and a month after my graduation, my first and current job is in the role of a registered mental health nurse on an acute inpatient ward.
My favourite part of being a mental health nurse has to be the people that I get to work with - both work colleagues and service users. During my training and in my current role I have had the opportunity to meet some incredible practitioners and work within some excellent teams who are devoted and skilled. I have had the privilege to work in collaboration with some amazing individuals and support them with their recoveries. As a mental health nurse no two days are the same and this profession provides that opportunity to really make a difference and have a positive impact in people's lives.
I think that I have chosen the best career for myself. Although I have encountered challenging moments, I get to engage in continuous learning, development and reflection and ultimately improve my practice.
As a practitioner, I want to be remembered as a compassionate, kind, curious individual that has provided a listening ear and support when it was most needed. I want to be remembered as someone who is full of passion in pursuit of my goals, while inspiring others to do the same.
I have admiration for people in all walks of life, individuals that display honesty, integrity, intelligence, resilience and most importantly people that can and do make a difference on a daily basis.
My greatest achievement so far has to be when I climbed Ben Nevis in the summer of 2022.
In the next 10 years I aspire to complete a PhD and continue to work within the clinical setting.
My surprising facts are that I can do the splits and have completed a skydive jump.
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Tegan Archer - BSc Speech and Language Therapy
I graduated in July 2020 and am soon starting my first post as a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist for the NHS in Cambridgeshire as part of the Stroke Early Supported Discharge team. I will be working with adults who have acquired swallowing and communication difficulties following a stroke. I am really excited to start my new job and am looking forward to getting to work closely with lots of different professionals who are also part of the ESD team as well as being able to build on the skills I gained on my third year placement working with adults.
My placement educators were both fantastic SLTs and taught me lots which I will take with me to my new job.
Writing my dissertation and completing my degree during the coronavirus pandemic is my greatest achievement.
In ten years’ time I will hopefully still be really enjoying working as an SLT specialising in stroke.
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Alice Ollerhead - BSc Paramedic Science
I currently work at the South Central Ambulance Service as a Newly Qualified Paramedic.
It is a priviledge to meet such a range of people and be welcomed into their homes and lives, I love that it keeps me on my toes!
It can be challenging, knowing there is more to be done, as things stand, there is a mismatch between care and support needed, and that available. Therefore, identifying need that cannot be met is morally challenging.
I always try my best – whether academically or with my patients, I will always try my best and hope this is reflected in my practice.
Becoming a paramedic is my greatest achievement – I faced some real challenges along the way but I kept going and it only made me stronger.
In ten years time I hope I will still be a paramedic, potentially with additional training in primary care, admission avoidance or end of life care as these are particular interests of mine.
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Kieran Francis - BSc Paramedic Science
I am currently working at East Midlands Ambulance Service, Leicester as a Paramedic .
As ambulance clinicians we have the privilege to help people in their homes, in their environment and at their most desperate time. Making even the slightest difference, whether that be making a cup of tea and having a chat or helping refer a patient on to social care can be hugely rewarding.
The way the ambulance service is utilised is changing and there is a far greater call volume for less acute, chronic exacerbations of underlying health issues – Keeping up to date with pathophysiology and best practice for these complex patients can present a challenge and the need for utilising secondary services more.
I admire far too many people to mention including my parents, but at UEA I most admire Juliet Harrison a paramedic lecturer as she is always extremely hard-working and supportive and an amazing paramedic
I consider my degree to be my greatest achievement – I would never have considered that I would be able to complete university when I was younger and I’m really proud of myself.
I would like to look into the pathway of a critical care paramedic or that of an advanced practitioner in an emergency department.
Just remember though, ambulances are deceptively higher than they look, I’ve fallen out of one and into one more times than I care to mention!
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Jaynie Sheen - BSc Paramedic Science
I graduated from UEA in September 2020 and my first job was as a Paramedic for EEAST.
My favourite part of the job is helping people and being part of a great team of colleagues whilst the most challenging part is that I never know what I will be faced with each day which is exactly why I love my job and the challenges it brings.
I would like to be remembered for being a good paramedic and a crazy cat lady.
I admire anyone who sets their sights high and has the determination and passion to complete their goals in life.
I consider completing my paramedic course with the grades I received to be my greatest achievement and in ten years’ time I would like to be known as a good paramedic and happy, with lots of cats and dogs.
I actually never wanted to be a paramedic or join the ambulance service. I wanted to be a dog handler in the police, therefore joining the ambulance service as a first responder was only to enhance my police application, but I fell in love with the job and soon spent all my spare time volunteering. I eventually gave up my full time job to become an ECA and it was the best career decision I have ever made.
Rosie Pointon – BSc Paramedic Science
I love the changing variety of the day-to-day, and I love being able to care for patients and go the extra mile. I love that in the ambulance service, when we attend non-time-critical jobs we are often under less restrictive time constraints than other healthcare professionals, and therefore able to support patients and go the extra mile.
The responsibility as the senior clinician is the most challenging part of my job– it’s very nerve racking!
I’m not entirely sure what I would like to be remembered for, but I won an award at my graduation ball for “most likely to go the extra mile,” and I’m not convinced whether that was a good or a bad thing!
I have the utmost admiration for a paramedic in Waveney – she remains so calm under pressure and that is exactly what I aspire to be like!
Qualifying as a paramedic is definitely my greatest achievement and in ten years’ time, I would love to set up an ambulance service in a developing country!
Not everyone knows but I have a scar on my head from when my partner hit me with a cricket bat – it was entirely accidental, I have zero space awareness (or common sense) and decided to run towards him when he was taking a shot!
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Melodie Avakian - MSc Adult Nursing
I am extremely proud of achieving a Distinction in my final year literature review, in which I explored the psychosocial consequences for informal caregivers supporting end of life cancer patients in the community. Since graduating from UEA, I have started my career as an adult nurse with an Oncology rotational position at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I had always wanted to specialise in cancer nursing so this has been an excellent opportunity to begin my career within this field of nursing, as I am now commencing my Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) training.
Once I have completed my SACT training over the next year, I would like to combine my cancer nursing skills and experience with a research position in clinical trials in the future.
The transition from student nurse to becoming a newly qualified nurse has been both personally and professionally challenging at times. However, the NHS preceptorship programme has helped to facilitate this by providing the necessary support along the way. Now, looking back on how much I have learnt and grown professionally within the past year has been highly rewarding.
My advice to current students would be to Keep focused from the start on where you wish to see yourself. Make the most of support networks available at UEA such as your personal adviser and your peers and also make sure to always keep a healthy work-life balance!
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Chelsea Radakovic - MSc Occupational Therapy
I graduated in February 2021 and I will be working at The Royal Papworth Hospital, which is a specialist cardiopulmonary hospital. I will be working rotations through different areas of the hospital, supporting people to recover after surgery or managing longer term conditions.
My first job will begin in two weeks so I am soaking up the free time at the moment!
My favourite part of Occupational Therapy so far is finding those little techniques, tips and tricks that make such a big difference to people doing everyday activities. When one finds themselves in a position where they can’t do something they’ve done all their life, like get out of bed or shower, it can be such a relief to find that they can still do it but it a new or different way.
There is so much that Occupational Therapists can do to help and support people and the most difficult thing is never having enough time to spend with each person.
I would like to be remembered for bringing an abundance of positivity to people when they’re at a difficult point, to help people see the possibilities in their life, and to help people do what is important to them, despite the limitations they may have.
I admire people that stick up for what they believe, stay positive in the face of doubt, risk, and hardship, and wander outside the lines from time to time.
Finishing a Master’s degree with distinction in a foreign country during a pandemic has been one of the greatest challenges in my life so far and therefore one of my greatest achievements!
If someone ten years ago had told me I’d be living in a cottage in England, working as an Occupational Therapist in a Royal hospital, I would not have believed them because none of those things were even possibilities in my mind! I am so excited to see where life takes me in the next ten years’ but I wouldn’t even hazard a guess where that will be!
One surprising fact about myself is that I used to fly helicopters at an Aeronautical University in Arizona.
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Elizabeth Neocleous – MSc Occupational Therapy
Winning the dissertation award for my MSc has been my greatest achievement - I have dyslexia so growing up, I didn’t think such academic success would be possible for me.
In ten years time I would like to have secured a specialist role (Band 6 or higher) within the dementia side of OT, and be involved in current research programmes to improve quality of life and care for people with dementia.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a tattoo artist - I even took on an apprenticeship for a while when I was 17!
Apprenticeships
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Jen Kippin – BSc Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
I graduated from the BSc Adult Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, UEA in February 2021 and my first and current job after graduation was as a Community Nurse for NCHC. I love how one day is never the same, you are given your list of patients to see for the day and then the rest is up to you. There is a lot of autonomy in being a Community Nurse and I like being able to use my knowledge and skills I have learnt over the years (and am still developing) to give the very best care possible.
I would most like to be remembered for my midcentury clothing style! Joking aside, I’d like to be remembered for being a fab nurse.
I most admire my mum. She taught me to be the strong independent person that I am today, very much a cliche but true!
I consider my qualifying to be my greatest achievement! Studying in the middle of a pandemic whilst also working was tough so I’m really proud of getting my professional registration and completing the course.
I haven’t quite decided where I’d like to be in the future yet, whether to go down the clinical or leadership routes. I think I’ll wait and see!
Simone Emerson - Trainee Nursing Associate
I completed my studies in October 2020 and when my apprenticeship contract ends I shall be working in a GP practice as a Registered Nursing Associate.
My favourite part of my current job is the lovely supportive colleagues as they have all helped make me the nurse I am today! And of course seeing the patients, patient education and empowerment, chatting to them and making them smile. If I leave a patient knowing I have helped and made their day a little brighter it is the best feeling. The most challenging part of my current job is travelling lots of miles driving across the patch to patients’ homes as it can be very stressful and tiring in addition to a very busy workload.
I would like to be remembered for being caring, doing a good job and making people smile.
I most admire my amazing Supervisor Georgina Harper! A truly compassionate, hard working, inspiring and enthusiastic teacher. I have learnt so much working alongside her for the last 2 years, and am very grateful for all the guidance and support she has given me.
I consider my greatest achievement to be passing the course! No really. And of course getting pretty awesome overall grades, proud of that!
In 10years’ time I would like to have a further advanced degree in Nursing and be working abroad.
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Krisztina Wilsea - Trainee Nursing Associate
I graduated from UEA in 2021. During my two year apprenticeship, I worked as community based TNA based in Great Yarmouth & the Northern Villages for East Coast Community Healthcare. I am now a Registered Nursing Associate at Beccles Community Hospital with East Coast Community Healthcare.
My favourite part of the current job is the interaction with the patients and being able to make a small difference to someone’s life.
Being a newly registered Nursing Associate in an unfamiliar environment is probably my biggest challenge since I have always been community based rather than ward based and felt very competent in my previous role as I had plenty of experience; however, I love a challenge!
I would like to be remembered for being considerate, amicable and passionate and smiling a lot!
I most admire my father, who came to England from Hungary as a refugee. He did not speak English but through hard work and determination he overcame adversity and ran a successful engineering company employing many people whom he encouraged and supported. He was a great advocate for chasing your dreams and believe to succeed.
My greatest achievement is yet to come! I believe achievements are relative to life stages and time frames. I have been fortunate enough to experience many personal triumphs and achievements.
Although I am ambitious, I have never had a “plan” so to be a registered nurse, with all the components that constitute health and happiness would be wonderful.
One surprising fact about me is that I used to be an HGV driver and Tyre Technician in Formula One.
Angela Tear - Trainee Nursing Associate
I joined the South Community LD Team in the Trainee Nurse Associate (TNA) role in September 2020. I have since been given a badge of recognition for two separate pieces of work which included supporting with a crisis case of a young person requiring transition from their family home to a respite provision where further intervention work was needed, along with teaching a young person internet safety rules. For each case I ensured a person centred approached was adopted to receive the best outcomes, which proved to be very successful! In both cases I used the service users’ interests to achieve full engagement and positive results. For example, the young person who needed support with Internet safety, did not like engaging with professionals historically and therefore I spent a few visits just building a rapport with her. I got to know what she liked and what the difficulties were around understanding internet safety.
The young person really liked the boy band Blue and horror films, so I designed a bespoke game which reflected her interests and internet safety rules. The game was very successful and enabled me to establish her retainment of the rules we discussed, whilst teaching the individual at the same time. The importance of using these bespoke approaches is paramount, working with people with learning disabilities can be very challenging especially when trying to teach them a new skill. By tuning into their interests, you can gain a level of attention required to build on a skill that is essential for them to develop further in life.
Steven Whitton, Health Team Leader with the Community Learning Disabilities Team in South Norfolk, Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust, said:
“Angela has been an absolute star. Angela has performed to a really high standard in both her studies and clinical work, adapting her skills and knowledge from her previous role in children's respite services. Angela is a highly committed and compassionate individual, who demonstrates the Trust values in everything she does. There have been numerous instances with patients where these behaviours have been evident, including providing person-centred approach with one patient to support a transition to respite placement to facilitate assessment and intervention away from the family home. This was both challenging and distressing for family, given the patient's complex presentation and significant learning disability. Angela supported both the patient and her mother, with regular wellbeing checks throughout the process. In addition, Angela has demonstrated her creative side in designing a game for one patient to understand how to use the internet safely.”
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Rachael Wright – Trainee Nursing Associate
I graduated from the Trainee Nursing Associate programme in February 2023. My first job after graduation was, and still is, Nurse Associate in General Practice.
My favourite part of my job is meeting people, engaging, and building a rapport with patients to gain trust and make a positive difference to their health and experience of the health care service. A large part of my role is health promotion and prevention of ill health. Building a good professional relationship and gaining trust by actively listening goes a long way in achieving positive health outcomes. Seeing that impact on someone’s health and wellbeing is very rewarding.
Time constraints and heavy workloads are the most challenging part of my job. However, I am fortunate to work in a very supportive team and morale is good. Time is allocated regularly for supervision, where I can reflect and discuss issues, which supports resilience, my own wellbeing, and a positive work environment.
I would like to be remembered as a kind and caring person, someone who works hard and is a good team player. I work within an amazing team of nurses, all of whom have admirable qualities. They are kind, respectful, treat people as they themselves would hope to be treated and are all super supportive of me and each other. If I can be half the nurse they each are, I am confident I will be doing a great job. In 10 years, I hope to be an established practice nurse and clinical educator.
My greatest achievement is that I have 2 beautiful sons with my husband both of whom I am very proud of, but successfully completing my Nursing Associate foundation degree with a distinction after a 23-year gap in education is definitely up there.
One surprising fact about myself? I’ve won this award!
Sophie Emsley – Nursing Degree Apprenticeship
I graduated from UEA in November 2022 and I’m now working as a staff nurse on the Acute Medical Unit
Every shift is different, and the fast-paced environment of AMU allows me to gain knowledge on a huge variety of medical presentations and meet patients from all walks of life.
Caring for end-of-life patients is the most challenging part of my current job. I feel deeply for the patients and their families who are losing their loved ones, in which medical intervention can no longer cure them. Communication in these situations is critical to high quality nursing care.
I would like to be remembered for the way I make those around me feel; both in personal relationships and patient relationships. I want each person to feel heard and genuinely cared for.
The person I most admire is my dad. In any challenging situation in my life, I think ‘what would dad do.’ He is the most hardworking, genuine, and kind man.
He raised me to fix situations and in those ‘unfixable’ situations, he never fails to make me laugh. He is my biggest blessing, supporter, and best friend. I will be forever grateful for him.
I am proud to have completed my nursing degree apprenticeship. Alongside the clinical experience I gained, it has enabled me to buy my first property at 20 years old. I am more personally proud of the amazing family and friends I have in my life who continue to support me.
In ten years’ time, I hope to be a highly skilled nurse who has experienced a multitude of pathways the profession offers. I would love to work for an international charity providing nursing care for those in crisis situations. I also aspire to complete an advanced nurse practitioner Master's qualification.
Tell us one surprising fact about yourself.
A surprising fact about myself? I’m proud to be half Turkish thanks to my beautiful mum. I lived in Istanbul for a month after graduation to improve my Turkish language and I hope to be able to utilise my nursing skills there one day too.
Awards and prize money
You will also have the opportunity to win school awards with prize money.
Our Boards of Examiners award prizes at the end of each academic year in recognition of academic achievement and marks.