A recent NHS TV recruitment campaign has seen a 9% increase in the numbers of men applying to become nurses. It's no surprise to Joel Franklyn who has been with us now for 18 months and says nursing's a career for everyone.

Why did you become a nurse?

I am 29 years of age and I decided that I wanted to be a nurse after seeing my Nana care for my Grandad for 15 years and also my family are extremely caring so I guess it’s in my nature. My family are the people who inspired me to become a nurse and gave me the belief that I can achieve anything I want to. Prior to this I worked as a Sales assistant at Homebase and took a year away from education which I enjoyed THOROUGHLY

Once the year ended I met my now wife, who gave me the added direction I required so undertook my Maths GCSE at Learn Direct and then completed my training in Leeds from 2009-2012.

What's good about working at CHFT?

The best part of working at the CHFT is  the team I am a part of. We work so closely together and support each other through challenging situations and we believe in always keeping the patients central to our care.

What's the heart of your role?

The key aspects to my role is getting patients and health professionals to understand the importance of the lymphatics and the role this plays in Lymphoedema and oedema generally. In addition to this, the rationale behind the interventions implemented to optimise a patient's management of their oedema. Therefore education plays a pivotal part in my role.

Descibe some of your key activites in a week.

On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday we run clinics at Beechwood Community Health Centre where we see new patients to implement interventions and review patients who undergo intensive treatments (Compression Bandaging, Manual Lymphatic drainage, Kinesio Taping etc).

Tuesday and Friday we also run clinics out of the Ambulatory Unit at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary which is extremely useful as we have managed to pick up patients who have come in for antibiotics. We also provide support to housebound patients on a Wednesday where we do the same as in clinics.

How do you approach providing care for your patients?

How I approach my patients depends on them. I find it important that never to treat patients the same, some you can have a laugh and joke with some where others do not want this however humour is often used and certainly plays a significant role in how I manage my patients, ensuring that things are still done to the best of my ability and respect is always maintained which I feel aids compliance.

The recent NHS campaign has attracted huge numbers of male nurse recruits. Why do you think this is?

Nurses are needed, the gender does not matter. It is good that it is no longer stigmatised as being gender specific. But it's brilliant for people to get into healthcare generally as there is a growing demand for passionate health professionals.

What would you say to anyone thinking of a career in nursing?

For people who are undertaking studies for nursing I'd say keep hold of the thing that made you want to come into nursing as this will help to propel you through the tough times and gives you the drive to continue. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.