I began my nursing journey back in 1990, training in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. At the time, the RGN programme was entirely hospital-based, no diplomas or degrees. By 1993, I was a fully qualified nurse, ready to make a difference.
When I first qualified, I worked in an acute medicine ward and if I’m honest I found it really tough and even considered leaving nursing altogether. That all changed when I moved to outpatients. One day, I was assigned to an ophthalmology clinic. I was fascinated by the complexity of the eye and how much we could do to help people. That moment lit a spark.
I decided to take things further and applied for specialist training at the world-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. There, I completed a diploma and worked in their A&E department, focusing entirely on eye-related emergencies. I went on to do a Bachelor of Nursing and MSc in Nursing and a PGCE after I came to Edinburgh.
In 2001, I became a Nurse Practitioner, then went on to become the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in ophthalmology in NHS Lothian, something that hadn’t been done before. I helped develop a new ophthalmology curriculum with Queen Margaret University and later worked with Glasgow Caledonian University, teaching and marking students as a registered nurse teacher. I’m really proud of the part I played in shaping the future of ophthalmic nursing.
After a one day a week secondment at the university, I was back to full time at The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion when the pandemic hit.
These days, my clinics are full of variety. I treat everything from conjunctivitis, corneal inflammation, and blepharitis, to removing foreign bodies and managing lid cysts and dry eyes. I originally stepped into the advanced role to administer eye injections, but due to changes in my own vision, I now interpret OCT scans to help decide when patients need injections.
The best part of my job is helping patients feel better, whether that’s through treatment, simply listening, or offering emotional support. I really value the connection we build. I also love the teaching side of my role, especially getting to share my passion for all things eye related. I’ve even learned a few things from students myself through some of their fascinating case studies.
When I first started nursing, I never thought of myself as particularly academic. All I wanted was to become a staff nurse. I never imagined I’d go on to earn a degree, let alone a masters. I want others to know that nursing offers so many paths beyond the ward. If traditional ward work isn’t the right fit, there are plenty of other opportunities to explore and grow in your career.
That said, I do believe starting in an acute setting gives you a strong foundation. You learn a lot of skills and resilience that carry you through your career. Nursing is diverse, demanding, and full of opportunity. If you’re open to it, it can take you places you never expected.
