Former SRC student says never underestimate where a Career in Care can take you

A former Southern Regional College student who wants to make a meaningful difference to people is currently doing a nursing degree with the Open University.

Speaking about what drives her Jessica Sharp said: "Every step of my journey from care assistant to management and now nursing has been driven by one goal: making a meaningful difference to people's lives." 

Sharp grew up in the Mourne area and attended Shimna Integrated College. She has played with Newry Olympic Hockey Club.

"I never imagined my journey would take me from an after-school care assistant to senior management. Over the past 20 years in health and social care, I have achieved a Level 7 Postgraduate in Management and now am a Learning Disability Nursing student." she said.

After completion of the Healthcare Practice programme in partnership with the Open University, she has progressed directly into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Learning Disability Nursing degree. She said: "The encouragement of outstanding tutors at SRC and supportive managers gave me the confidence to take the next step. Following receipt of several nursing offers, I chose the Open University as it allowed me to continue working while pursuing my ambition."

The programme combines academic learning with clinical placements, developing expertise in evidence-based practice, leadership and person-centred care. It builds on more than two decades of experience and will prepare her for registration as a Learning Disability Nurse.

Her ambition is to qualify as a Learning Disability Nurse before progressing to a Master's in Behaviour Analysis, combining clinical knowledge and management experience to improve outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

Sharp concludes: "Care assistants should never be overlooked. They are the foundation of our workforce, and with the right support, education and determination, there is a pathway for everyone to develop and achieve their ambitions.

"Learning disability nursing is about seeing the person before the diagnosis and empowering them to live the life they choose."