Houskeeper turned Nurse celebrates Careers Week 2025
Date of release: 6 March 2025
“The first time I’d gone on the ward in my ‘blues’ was a great feeling. I’d encourage all NHS staff to grab learning opportunities with both hands, as I’ve now achieved my dream of becoming a Nurse.”
Staff Nurse Su Duggan
This Careers Week, Staff Nurse Su Duggan, who works at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, wants to show age isn’t a barrier when it comes to apprenticeships, and encourage others to keep learning.
Despite joining the NHS later in life, Su’s compassion was evident much earlier.
“I always had interest in providing care” she explained. “And while looking after my brother – who has cerebral palsy – I was further inspired to go into a career whereby I could help others.”
Thanks to a friend pointing out the vacancy, Su applied for the role of a housekeeper at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust in 2008 going on on to work in both office areas and on the wards.
Here Su chatted to patients and their loved ones.
“I loved talking to the patients, and especially to older people. It builds that rapport with the relatives, and they felt like they could speak to me and ask for help if they needed it.”
Based on the respiratory ward, Su’s ward manager encouraged her to apply for a full-time healthcare assistant (HCA) position.
Su, 62, said: “I found the staff to be incredibly supportive. They’ve always been keen to share knowledge, and to help each other develop – both personally and professionally.”
After securing the HCA role, she continued to progress by enrolling on two-year training scheme whereby HCAs are trained to become Nurse Associates – a job designed to bridge the gap between HCAs and Nurses.
She also signed up to study a Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship after a “supportive colleague” pointed it out. With placements across hospital and community, the apprenticeship afforded her the opportunity to make connections with healthcare professionals, across a range of specialities.
“I was able to spend time with the hospital at home team, and on the virtual ward, which gave me exposure as to how digital solutions are supporting patients to receiving the care they need at home. The way technology is advancing is incredible,” she said.
Su qualified as a Nurse in April 2024.
“I always wanted to be the best I could possibly be, and I was so pleased I’d not only made it but was helping to others to learn,” she said.
