Lifelong nursing dream comes true for mum Emma

Emma Lennon, 37, of Aston, Deeside, took on the Adult Nursing course at the University as she had always wanted a career where she could make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Her hard work and dedication have been praised by University staff, with Senior Lecturer Sonia Boulton highlighting Emma’s positive feedback from her clinical placements.

Emma, who will graduate later this year, said: “Nursing combines clinical knowledge, compassion, communication, and teamwork, which are all qualities I value. I have always wanted to do nursing from a little girl; anyone who really knows me could tell you it’s been a dream of mine and, like they say, dream hard enough and it will come true.

“Completing the course is a proud and rewarding achievement, which is a little bittersweet for me as while it’s something I have wanted for many years, unfortunately I lost my parents who I wish, more than anything, I could share this happy and proud moment with.

“This programme has challenged me academically and personally, helping me grow in confidence and resilience. It has enabled me to qualify as a Registered Adult Nurse and begin a career dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality care to people, giving them the care when they’re most vulnerable, being their advocate and doing my very best for them.”

Emma said she chose Chester “because of its excellent reputation for nursing education, strong links with local healthcare providers, and supportive learning environment”, as well as the chance to complete a wide range of clinical placements to prepare her for professional practice, in a hospital environment familiar to her.

Sonia said about Emma’s work experience: “On her first clinical placement at Ellesmere Port Hospital the staff there said to me that they would give her a job today. She was a first-year student nurse on her first placement, but they could see already that she would be a competent and efficient nurse.”

Reflecting on her time in Chester, Emma said: “The best thing about my experience has been the people I have met and the opportunities I have been given to grow both professionally and personally. Highlights include completing placements across different healthcare settings, developing meaningful relationships with patients and colleagues, and reaching the point of qualifying as a nurse after years of hard work.

“Seeing my progress from the beginning of the course to where I am now has been incredibly rewarding. I have made lifelong friends and I am incredibly proud of them, some of them don’t see how truly amazing they are.

“I have also tried to support and encourage fellow students wherever possible, sharing experiences and helping others build confidence throughout the programme. To me, that’s what it’s all about; helping others and offering support seeing other people smile, feel supported and achieving great things makes me feel good. Being recognised as a positive role model is something I am very proud of and did not expect as all the students are amazing and we all support and help each other, and it reflects the supportive culture that the University promotes.”

Sonia added Emma was “always helping her peers and supporting others”, and “a positive role model for her peers”, supporting them through hardships.

In turn, Emma praised the support she received from staff: “All the lecturers were approachable, encouraging, and always willing to provide guidance when needed, especially Sonia, Nicky Nagy and Ben Marsh to name just a few, who are incredible.”

The biggest challenge for Emma was balancing the workloads of the course and clinical placements with being a mum to her “four amazing children” and running her family home, but she overcame the challenges through effective time management, resilience and self-discipline, while persevering and working late into the night to ensure her assessments and dissertation were handed in on time.

Emma also thanked her “incredible” husband Paul Lennon for working long hours and supporting the family through her studies.

Looking ahead, Emma is aiming to continue developing her skills and confidence as a newly qualified nurse. She added: “I hope to expand my clinical knowledge, take on leadership opportunities, and potentially undertake further professional development or specialist training in a field I am passionate about, such as palliative care or cardiology.

“Ultimately, I want to continue providing excellent patient care while supporting and mentoring future nursing students as, being a student myself, I realise just how important it is to help the next generation to have their dreams and goals come true too.”