Former student Emma continuing to make a real difference

Now, nearly 18 years later, the roles have reversed with Emma, suitably inspired by how her teachers helped her, now supporting vulnerable children in her own career.

After leaving in 2007, Emma went on to study A-Levels before later completing an undergraduate university degree.

As a career, Emma yearned to opportunity to combine her two biggest passions; Science – her favourite subject at school – and a desire to want to help people and give something back to the community.

“After finishing university, I worked on a children’s ward and then moved to A&E for the first two years of my career,” she explains.

Longing to utilise her passion for science, Emma then moved into a research-based role, looking into medicinal treatments for children and how these could be made more tolerable.

“I then spent two years working with initially adults and then children with eating disorders,” she added.

Working with and helping vulnerable children provided Emma with a sense of fulfilment, a real feeling that she was making a difference.

As a Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Nurse, Emma continues to work with young people in her current role, supporting 80 children across Leicestershire and Kettering.

“A typical week would involve a routine clinic, in-patient admissions, school and home visits and lots of chasing of results and organising tests for my patients,” she explains.

“We also work with the new-born screening service and are the first point of contact families have when there is a suspicion of Cystic Fibrosis.”

“I enjoy my job and am currently very content,” Emma says.

Keen to progress her career and learn new skills, though, Emma already has one eye on the future. She is hoping to start working towards an Advanced Practice Masters’ Degree very soon, and also harbours ambitions to explore an educational-type role within nursing.

So, as an alumnus of Sir Jonathan North, what advice would Emma give to current students who are wondering what to do next and pondering what the future holds?

“Don’t ever give up.

“Anything is achievable if you put in time and effort, even if it takes a bit longer to get there.”