A mother and daughter are studying nursing together at the University of Chichester, continuing a family tradition that stretches back three generations. They share their stories on International Nurses Day (12 May), which marks the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth and honours the significant contributions nurses make to global healthcare.
Karen White, 54, is a Year 1 Nursing Associate apprentice working in the home first team for Sussex Community Foundation NHS Trust. Her daughter Bella Smith, 28, is a Year 1 BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing student. Both are enrolled in the university’s School of Nursing and Allied Health.
Bella said: “I have always wanted to be a nurse – it is all I have ever wanted to do. My nan was a nurse. It got put on hold as I had my sons when I was young.”
Karen began nurse training in 1989 but left after having her first daughter and went on to have six children. She worked in a post office for 18 years before taking redundancy and returning to care work, spending four years at a hospice before moving to the home first team – looking after patients in their own homes after leaving hospital.
“They said about doing the apprenticeship, and I had already done level 2 and 3 while I was at the hospice,” Karen said.
It was Bella who encouraged her mother to take the next step: “I said to Mum, it’s time to take some time for yourself.”
Karen added: “I knew Bella was here and thought I should give it a go. My mum was 45 when she started nursing. She ended up as a sister when she retired.”
The pair lean on each other for support, and Karen said: “Bella has to give me pep talks – she’s encouraging me in a way. She is not so far out of education as I am. She did her pre-nursing course and absolutely smashed it – she got distinctions all the way through. I’m so proud of her. I knew she would smash it.”
Bella added: “I’ve got great support with Mum and my husband. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
On going back to education later in life, Karen said: “When you have spent so many years looking after people, you can struggle to put yourself first. It is having the self-belief.”
Both say they have felt welcomed at the university and praised the lecturers. “I feel very comfortable here,” Bella said. Karen agreed: “Everyone has been really supportive.”
On their career hopes, Karen said she’s not sure what the future will bring, but added: “I’m looking forward to having experience of working in different placements. I have always wanted to work in a children’s ward or maternity.”
Bella is already looking ahead, and said: “I would like to do a master’s in something. You can do further courses on school nursing or becoming a health visitor. Nursing opens so many doors. There’s so many options. I just know I want to be in nursing.”
Dr Nita Muir, Head of the School of Nursing and Allied Health at the University of Chichester, said: “International Nurses Day is a moment to celebrate the dedication of nurses everywhere, and Karen and Bella’s story is a wonderful example of how nursing can inspire across generations. At the School of Nursing and Allied Health here at Chichester, we are proud to offer routes into the profession that suit different stages of life – whether that’s through our BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing degree, which has places available for September, or our Nursing Associate apprenticeship. We would encourage anyone considering a career in nursing to get in touch.”