Mother-of-two, 42, wins place on Edinburgh Napier course
MUM-of-two Heather Griffin has embarked on a completely new career path after forging a close relationship with the student nurses she worked with at a Covid-19 testing centre.
Former financial services worker Heather was so fascinated by what she heard from the Edinburgh Napier undergraduates that she has now enrolled in the University’s Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) degree course.
Heather, 42, lost her job in finance during the pandemic but found work at the testing centre at The Pleasance in Edinburgh through a temping agency. The facility was opened by the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier to provide mass testing for students before they travelled home last Christmas and remained open in the New Year to provide ongoing testing for asymptomatic students.
Heather worked first of all on the registration desks, then as a test processor and results recorder, and she developed a close working relationship with the student nurses on duty at the centre.
She said: “I had never really considered a role in nursing before but I learned about the Edinburgh Napier course through the student nurses. I was surprised at how many of them were mature students who had families, and who also wanted a change in their life direction.
“They spoke highly of the course, were excited by their career choice, and had inspiring stories to share from their placements. Once they had instilled in me the idea that I would also apply for the course, they were also able to address my concerns and answer my many questions about it.”
Heather, who is married with two sons, aged 14 and nine, said there had been a strong sense of camaraderie within the test centre workforce. “The team was welcoming and supportive, and we used a lot of humour to help us through those tough times. In addition, we felt proud to be part of a project that was dedicated to the health and safety of the wider community.”
Heather, who has a degree in Russian Studies, applied for the Edinburgh Napier nursing course and after an online group interview was offered a conditional place subject to passing online modules taken over the summer.
With all hurdles successfully negotiated, she has now been accepted on to the course and has joined classmates at the University’s Sighthill campus as she pursues the next step on her new career ladder.
Heather, from Canonmills, said: “It’s early days and I am still settling into my new routine and just beginning to appreciate the amount of work that needs to be done but I have been enjoying myself so far.
“I am raring to go, and am excited by the opportunity to go on placement in January and put the skills into practice.”
Edinburgh Napier’s Joanne Nethercott, who ran the Covid-19 testing centre and supported Heather as she applied for a place at the university, said: “Test centre staff were trained in a variety of roles to develop skills which they could add to their CV, and Heather approached every new role with enthusiasm and passion, and was keen to learn.
“I was surprised when she told me she was thinking of applying for the nursing course because it was so far from her work in finance and a big commitment, but of course, I supported her as much as I could and I was over the moon when she told me she had been offered a conditional place.
“I am delighted that the test centre work brought us a new student, and I am sure Heather will make a fantastic nurse.”