Laura Carragher

My route into nursing... 

I originally chose to study psychology at university. At this point, I did not even consider a career in nursing. I completed my psychology degree at the University of Sheffield in 2018. After graduation, I was interested in a career in mental health, but I needed healthcare experience. I undertook an apprenticeship in a secure mental health division, exposing me to various roles and opportunities within the NHS. I was fortunate to work alongside passionate and inspiring nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This led me to research how to access post-graduate nursing programmes in the North West. The accelerated format of the masters course piqued my interest! 

My favourite part of the master route... 

I enjoy being part of a small, like-minded, diverse cohort where we all communicate regularly, support each other and participate in group activities. In the master's programme, I have worked alongside peers with unique work backgrounds and rich life experiences. It has been challenging to condense all the required theory and practice into two years, but we have excellent tutors who have fostered our learning and encouraged us to reach our potential. It has been an enjoyable experience working alongside equally motivated and committed students with a shared interest in becoming a nurse. 

Why mental health nursing? 

I have always been interested in working with people since my initial choice of studying psychology. I enjoy the dynamic nature of nursing – every day is different. Mental health nursing is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a considerably rewarding and fulfilling career with many opportunities. 

My future ambitions... 

To complete my master's in mental health nursing in July 2023 and complete my preceptorship with a chosen NHS trust and area of interest. I want to feel competent and confident within myself as a nurse before I continue developing and progressing on to different opportunities. I also look forward to effectively supporting future nursing students on their placements, as I know how much of a difference it can make. 

About me:

What I do with my spare time... 

I like to go to the gym as much as possible in my spare time! I love weightlifting and blocking out the world for an hour. I enjoy dog walks and spending time with my boyfriend, family and friends. 

My pets... 

I have a three-year-old cockapoo called Suki which means ‘loved one’ in Japanese. My family and I got her just before the lockdown in March 2020, and we haven’t looked back. 

What I do to look after my mental wellbeing... 

I try to prioritise my mental health and well-being, but sometimes life can get on top of you. When I recognise that I am struggling, I reach out to my extensive support network. I utilise the gym, get 8 hours of sleep and have plenty of cuddles with Suki.

My top tips for current or perspective students... 

• Don’t be afraid to say no and set boundaries. Being a full-time student with a social life, career, and personal and family commitments can be hard. Sometimes you wish to split yourself into several parts so as not to let anyone down. However, as this isn’t possible, you must learn to say no. If people value you, they will understand that you can’t do everything.
• Get yourself a diary, calendar, to-do list, or another preferred organisation tool. They will be needed to visualise, prioritise and manage the course’s deadlines, tasks and events. Using these tools will be good practice for when you are qualified and are expected to manage your time effectively. 
• When it comes to assignments, if you can pick a topic area, try to choose something that you find interesting – it helps!  
• You won’t have continuous motivation throughout the course; it is unrealistic. There will be ebbs and flows. It is your commitment that outweighs everything else.