Nancy Bowden CO15

Nancy is among the amazing healthcare providers who have worked with such commitment throughout the pandemic. She plans to further develop her knowledge and expertise, aspiring to become a ‘Queen’s Nurse’ one day.

Throughout her nursing career Nancy has studied and worked across Edinburgh and the Borders as well as internationally, working on an elective Orthopaedic ward in Australia in 2018. She then worked in the Trauma and Orthopaedic unit and A&E at the Bristol Royal Infirmary before moving to Southmead Hospital (also in Bristol) working in the Burns and Plastics unit.  “Southmead is a secondary burns unit, meaning they care for patients with less than 40 percent burns. The Plastics Unit specialises in breast reconstruction and a lot of plastic surgery following trauma.” 

In June 2019, Nancy’s priorities changed with ill health in her family and she chose to return to Cornwall to be close to them again.  She secured a job in the Trauma unit at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske (RCHT) alongside fellow Old Truronian, Tom Harris CO15 who is a Radiographer.  She also stays in touch with other friends from her time at Truro School:  Sara Kidd CO16, Sophie Solomon CO15 and Emily Pender CO15. 

Nancy aspires to become a Queen’s Nurse and progress through the ranks of nursing. (The Queen’s Nurse programme brings together community nurses to develop their professional skills and deliver outstanding patient care in the community. The title of Queen’s Nurse (QN) is available to individual nurses who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to patient care and nursing practice.)  So, with a view to developing her knowledge and career further, she has often undertaken additional shifts in different departments to increase her experience.  

Nancy’s plan is to return to University sometime soon to complete Midwifery training and then maybe return to Australia and/or Scotland as she enjoyed both places immensely – she is leaving her options open! 

We asked Nancy for any advice for our ‘Aspiring Healthcare Professionals’ who may be considering a similar career path: 

“My advice would be to take any experience you can find and talk to everyone. Learn about people and take an interest in their lives because you are looking after the whole person, not just their disease or diagnosis and there is a lot of joy to be found in that.”