Harry Hannaford

I've spent the majority of my life working in hospitality and mastered just about every role in the industry, but when I turned twenty-six I changed my career to healthcare and jumped at the opportunity to become an apprentice nurse associate. Having finished my course now am I now looking to further my nursing career. 

I have thrown myself into the world of nursing with my apprenticeship and I have loved every minute of it, and seen myself change dramatically throughout my training in so many different ways and acquired confidence in my ability to deliver safe, effective practice.

Starting my apprenticeship I always saw myself working in A+E as an adult nurse, however, this all changed when I had an external placement at Oxleas's House. Here I saw my communication skills from previous jobs and volunteer work flourish, which helped me deliver a high standard of care. Previously I worked at high-end establishments serving highly affluent clientele coupled with volunteering with people who live on the streets, children with learning difficulties, refugees who have had their lives decimated by war, and poor communities in the UK and abroad. This now combined with placements in adult, paediatric and mental health wards has given me the know-how to commune with just about anybody.

Soon after leaving Oxlea’s I became fascinated with learning all I can about mental health and psychological ailments. I know that I still have a lot to learn, but I am eager to absorb every lesson, every piece of literature, and experience presented to me and embark on the next chapter of my nursing career.

Working for the NHS throughout the Pandemic has really thrown me into the deep end of healthcare, but working under extreme pressure has taught me skill’s I may not have learned outside of pandemic times. It taught me to; be resilient and manage time effectively when we were short-staffed, leave stress at work after a shift has finished, be flexible and prepared to move bays or wards mid-shift, and how to maintain professional standards regardless of how worn out I may have been. I take pride in myself being a key team player and believe a strong team not only delivers incredible results but also creates a healthy work environment, something which I strive to achieve in any area I work in.

I only want to work hard for my patients at a trust that provides high-quality care alongside superior learning opportunities and will allow me to develop myself further as a mental health nurse.

Foundation Degree in Nursing as a Nurse Associate