Caitlin went into nursing because of the experience
A newly qualified nurse who was inspired by the hospital care given to her gran feels like her journey has come full circle – as she starts work on the very same ward.
Caitlin Tervit has graduated from Edinburgh Napier University’s BN Adult Nursing course, collecting her degree alongside fellow students from the School of Health and Social Care at the Usher Hall.
It marks the end of a remarkable journey for the 32-year-old from Dunfermline, who cites the treatment that her gran, Margaret (pictured below), received while undergoing a liver transplant as the moment which ignited her passion for nursing.
Caitlin said: “It was a really hard time, but what stood out most was the incredible care the nurses gave her they were compassionate, patient and treated her with such dignity.
“I remember sitting in the side room thinking, ‘I want to be like them.’ I even emailed Edinburgh Napier from the ward to ask how I could get in, as I hadn’t stayed at school for my Highers.
“That moment planted the seed for everything that’s followed.”
Several years after that initial inspiration, Caitlin felt a renewed urge to pursue the idea during the Covid pandemic, when the work of nurses drew widespread public acclaim.
She enrolled on an access course at college, paving the way for her to study at ENU.
Caitlin added: “Seeing how nurses worked with such dedication during the pandemic reminded me why I’d wanted to do this in the first place.
“Getting my offer to study at Edinburgh Napier felt amazing – like it was finally my time.
“The course exceeded my expectations. The support from lecturers and classmates was fantastic, and everything clicked when I was out on placement.
“Each experience, whether in hospital or the community, helped me grow in confidence and develop my own nursing identity. I met so many lovely mentors who have really inspired me and shaped the nurse I’ve become.”
Following the completion of her course, Caitlin’s story took a fitting turn, as she was offered a post on the same ward where her gran was treated – the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – where she had first enquired about studying at ENU.
“Thinking back to that hospital room with my gran, I could never have imagined that I’d actually get here,” she said. “It feels surreal and emotional.
“It’s been challenging at times, but I’m so proud of myself and grateful for the journey.
“It feels incredibly special like everything has come full circle. That ward will always hold a huge place in my heart, and now I get to work alongside some of the nurses who first inspired me.
“It’s an honour to start my career where my passion for nursing began.”
A pioneering conference – offering a unique platform for learning, exploring, and challenging how neurodiversity impacts Police Scotland officers and staff as well as the public they serve – took place this week.
Neurodiversity and Policing brought together international and local speakers from academia, public health and policing as well as those with lived experience, to explore the subject and share knowledge and understanding.
Around 15% of the public are considered to be neurodivergent. However, it is estimated that between 20 and 30% of Police Scotland officers and staff could be neurodivergent – making them one of the largest minority groups in the service.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland said: “Police Scotland is committed to creating a supportive, welcoming and inclusive culture for all our communities. We also strive to create a sense of belonging and a working environment where our colleagues are encouraged to achieve.
“Our officers and staff are drawn from our own communities and neurodivergent colleagues make up a substantial part of Police Scotland’s workforce. They also offer valued skills and unique perspectives that enhance our police service.
“As Police Scotland’s lead for neurodiversity and, as a neurodivergent leader in the public sector, it is a subject I am passionate about.
“Our refreshed Policing Together vision and programme is aimed at learning and improving. It is about creating a working environment where people know they belong. This vision is underpinned by a human rights approach to policing, focused on delivering the highest standard of service for our diverse communities.
“This landmark and extremely important conference provided the opportunity to share knowledge, lived experiences and help understand what neurodiversity is and allow those attending to access support, where it is required.”
Dr Inga Heyman from the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Along with our partners, we were delighted to host this important knowledge exchange event.
“We have a strong history of partnership working at the intersect of policing and public health. We recognise that no one organisation is adequately skilled, equipped and resourced to support people and communities to make lasting change.
“It is crucial we come together across sectors, to explore the academic evidence, practice and lived experiences of police officers who may be neurodivergent to recognise the challenges they face, but also the strengths their neurodivergence brings to their work.
“It is equally important that we learn from people who come in contact with police who are neurodivergent to better understand how practice can be enhanced to support them.”
The event was hosted by Edinburgh Napier University in partnership with Police Scotland, the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association and the Scottish Institute for Policing Research.
The Moderator of the General Assembly Lord Jim Wallace has embarked on a ten-day schedule to learn more about the life and work of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.
Lord Wallace said he is looking forward to attending events organised by the Presbytery of Edinburgh which will see him meet people from all walks of life and learn how they have coped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presbytery visits provide Moderators with an opportunity to offer encouragement and support to church members and the communities they serve.
Due to the lockdown, this is the first fully in-person visit to take place since 2019.
Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly
Lord Wallace, a QC and former MP and MSP, said the city is close to his heart. “I am very much looking forward to my first presbytery visit, not least because it is Edinburgh where I went to university, trained as a lawyer, practiced as a lawyer, sat in the Scottish Parliament and where I met my wife, Rosie,” he said.
“I am very grateful to the presbytery for putting together a very comprehensive programme, which will allow me to engage with a whole range of people who reflect my interests and background.”
Candidates
The programme will see Lord Wallace visit churches, hospitals, universities and a prison and meet ordinary church members, politicians, senior figures in the judiciary, ministers, chaplains and interfaith and ecumenical leaders.
Lord Wallace was ordained as an elder at what was St Bernard’s Church in Stockbridge in 1981. It is now called Stockbridge Parish Church and Lord Wallace joined the congregation there yesterday (above).
In the evening, the Moderator led worship at Holy Trinity Church in Wester Hailes.
Lord Wallace will meet with Councillor Frank Ross, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, at the City Chambers today and will later attend an event at New College to mark their 175th Anniversary and meet candidates for the ministry.
This evening, the Moderator will attend a civic event at the City Chambers for members of the Edinburgh Area Children’s Panel who make sure that a young person is at the heart of legal decisions that affect them.
Many church members are involved in this work and Lady Wallace, who will be accompanying her husband, was a panel member for many years until recently.
Courts and prison
On Tuesday, Lord Wallace, who is currently sitting on the non-affiliated benches in the House of Lords, is visiting the Charteris Centre run by Greyfriars Kirk, which is based in a refurbished church building at The Pleasance which is nearing completion.
It is a social enterprise initiative which seeks to provide a place for connection with communities of all kinds.
Afterwards he will visit Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Courts to hear more about the administration of justice, especially during the pandemic.
Lord Wallace will then travel to HMP Edinburgh in the Saughton area of the city where he will be given a tour and introduced to staff, prisoners and the chaplains who support them.
On Wednesday, he will visit Napier University’s Sighthill campus where he will meet Principal Andrea Nolan and be given a tour of the Clinical Centre in School of Health and Social Care.
He will meet staff, students, members of the university’s chaplaincy team and Professor Gary Hutchinson and Liz Aston from the School of Applied Sciences to discuss work with Scottish Institute For Policing Research.
In the afternoon, the Moderator will visit the Granton Goes Greener project at Granton Parish Church to learn more about an innovative clothes upcycling project which is part of work to reduce consumption as part of efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
He will later attend a special Presbytery service in St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile, which will be attended by the church’s ecumenical and interfaith partners, as well as national and civic leaders, and will be followed by a reception in Parliament Hall which will bring people from the worlds of religion, politics and legal profession together.
On Thursday, the Moderator is visiting Edinburgh Airport with Rev Moira MacDonald, minister of Corstorphine Old Parish Church and Workplace Chaplain, Esther Elliot, to hear about the work of workplace chaplains.
He will later meet with the Principal of the University of Edinburgh and visit the law school – the place where he studied – to speak with students and staff.
Frontline chaplains
In the evening, the Moderator will attend a Presbyterial Guild event in Craiglockhart Parish Church, speaking on the theme of “Look forward in Faith”.
On Friday, he is visiting the Royal Blind School, the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and will attend an evening reception at Edinburgh Castle for chaplains who serve in a wide variety of contexts – hospitals, the military, universities and the workplace.
Lord Wallace said: “I am looking forward to meeting people engaged in chaplaincy, many of whom have been at the front line during the COViD-19 crisis.
“I will be very much in listening mode and hope to provide them with encouragement.”
Polwarth Parish Church is the Moderator’s next stop where, on Saturday, he will visit the new All Aboard canal boat that the congregation jointly own with a charity called People Know How.
It is used for spiritual and educational pursuits on the Union Canal, which links Edinburgh and Falkirk.
The Moderator will take part in worship at Tron, Moredun and Gilmerton Church on Sunday and join members of Leith Churches for a special service in the evening.
He will visit the Richmond’s Hope bereavement project for children and young people at Richmond Craigmillar Church the following day.
Very Rev Dr Derek Browning, Moderator of Edinburgh Presbytery, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming Lord Wallace.
“Presbytery visits allow Moderators to meet local Christians and gain a wider perspective of how the Church, and the communities we support, engage.”
