‘I trained as a nurse Headline in 24pt for downpage story to deal with my grief’
Lauretta Ofulue left her career in financial services to train as an NHS nurse after her son’s death at the age of four. After qualifying in 2020, and winning a student nurse of the year award, Lauretta is now a student health visitor. Here she reveals how she made the switch
QWhy did you decide to become a nurse?
A My son Otito had a condition called propionic acidaemia, which affected his body’s ability to break down proteins. In 2016 he suffered a health complication which led to a year-long hospitalisation at Great Ormond Street Hospital where he died in 2017 aged four. I saw how much nurses were able to help sick children who were suffering, so I decided to train as a learning disability nurse. Enrolling on a nurse training course was a way of dealing with my own grief, and ensuring that
QA
How did you enroll?
sent them details of my qualifications, attended an interview and won a place on its three-year learning disability nursing course.
Q
How did you enjoy the course?
A and a positive distraction from the grief of losing a child. There was a lot to learn, but you need to know a lot if you’re going to become a good nurse. I gained way more skills than I ever thought possible when I enrolled on the course.
Q
Did you do any work placements?
A Yes. A big part of the course involved gaining hands-on experience, and I’ve had placements in hospitals, care homes and mental health institutions, which gave me a better idea of what my career would involve. I’m now a student health visitor with the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
Q
How did you handle the placements?
A I’ve learnt that nurses, like people in every job, have good days and bad days.
QBut our tutors teach us to practise ‘reflective practice’ – to think how, if at all, we could have handled a situation better, and not dwell on something we may have got wrong. We’re told to learn from our experience with patients, so we can make it better for the next patient. Why disability nursing? A I saw with my own eyes how the nurses at Great Ormond Street alleviated the suffering of kids with disabilities and their parents – and having had a disabled child myself, I knew that was the specialty for me. Children – and adults – with
What qualities does someone
What would you say to someone considering a change of career and becoming a nurse?
A Don’t think too much because we sometimes talk ourselves out of things. However, if you’re really focused on making a difference and caring for people, I’d say: ‘Go for it!’ As a career, it’s a win-win because you’re not only helping others, but you’re doing something internally for yourself as a human being while pursuing a rewarding career.
Q
A Volunteering in a hospital or care home is a great way to see at first hand what nursing involves. It will also help you decide if nursing is the career for you.
What can a person do if they’re not sure whether nursing is for them?