I am a Paediatric Nurse in the Emergency Dept at King’s College Hospital and also with 306 Hospital Support Regiment – a Reserves Nationally Recruited Unit (NRU). I joined the Army Reserves only 4 years ago, passing out of Sandhurst as a PQO aged 52 years with no prior military knowledge.
I am proud to work in the NHS and as an Army Reservist and experience and training has lead me to develop many transferable skills to benefit both organisations. I have built a broad and useful network in each role and enjoy the wide variety of personnel at my NRU, which is comprised of specialist medical teams.
I should have joined the military years ago! It has opened many doors for me and stretched me out of my comfort zone nicely. As a Specialist Nurse, I am committed to just 19 training days a year, but the opportunities are pretty endless to go beyond that when I have time. Best of all, although aspects of my military life are obviously very serious, there is also some fun to be had, both in sport and through many friendships.