Newly graduated Nursing Associate, Anne-Marie Monday, is our first ever Nursing Associate to qualify in Outpatients.

Anne-Marie came to #TeamCHFT in 2021 to work as a Healthcare Assistant in Medical Outpatients. Due to the encouragement of her managers, she began her Nursing Associate (NA) training two years ago, in June 2023.

She recently graduated from University of Huddersfield and attended her graduation ceremony with her children and close friends. Anne-Marie said: "I felt so proud walking up onto that stage to collect my award and shake the Dean's hand. I was proud thinking back on what I had accomplished to get to this point.

"I've been working in care for more than 20-years now and have always wanted to do my nurse training as I've always been passionate about caring for others. I really surprised myself doing this course, I'm not particularly academic so I was pleasantly surprised when I found I had passed with a merit! Balancing home life alongside studying was a challenge at times, but I never gave up. I was very determined.

"During the course I was able to experience different areas, a particular highlight was ICU - I liked the 1:1 holistic care I could give to my patients. It was very intense, but I learnt so much during that time.

"I want to thank all my managers and colleagues from outpatients - Surgical, Medical, ENT and Orthopaedic. If anyone was thinking about doing their NA Training, I'd say you need to be dedicated and passionate about it. And even if it's challenging - don't give up and believe in yourself. I'd also say that it doesn't matter what age you are, because I'm 51!"