‘When I got the chance, I followed it with my heart’ – nurse graduates at the age of 64

An electronics technician who retrained as a registered nurse has graduated at the age of 64.

John Adesoye proved that age is no barrier to higher education as he collected his BSc (Hons) Nurse Degree Apprenticeship at a graduation ceremony at Bristol Beacon.

He said: “Don’t listen to people who say you’re too old for university. If I can do it, others can too. People are more brilliant than they think and they’re stronger than they think.

“The moment you start in higher education, you’ll see that the door will continue to open for you. That is my encouragement to them - it's not too late. It's never too late, and there are support mechanisms there to help you.”

John moved into healthcare when he changed careers in 2013, motivated by a deep desire to care for people. He began work at Southmead Hospital as a healthcare assistant in 2014.

He progressed by taking on two apprenticeship schemes with North Bristol NHS Trust (now Bristol NHS Foundation Trust), first completing a two-year Nursing Associate course before earning a 2.1 in his two-year Nurse Degree Apprenticeship and becoming a registered nurse this summer.

The father-of-five, who lives in Bristol, has secured a nursing role at Southmead Hospital now he has completed his apprenticeship. He has even set his sights on taking a masters-level healthcare qualification if an opportunity arises.

John grew up in a poor farming family in Nigeria and developed a keen interest in electronics, having been fascinated as a child with how his family’s radio worked. He later lived in Greece, working as an electronics technician servicing electronic equipment, and then moved to the UK.

The newly qualified registered nurse has worked in a range of departments at Southmead Hospital including cardiology, renal, orthopaedics, the emergency department and the intensive care unit, as well as being deployed in community nursing.

John said: “Beforehand, I was caring for electronic devices and I was happy when I could get broken devices working again. In my work in healthcare, when patients get better it gives me great joy and satisfaction.

“It has also led me to develop myself, to progress and to learn more about caring for people and how to provide high quality care. I was always looking for opportunities for degree apprenticeships because I wouldn’t have been able to go university on my own. Once the door opened, I took the opportunity and have progressed from a Band 2 level to a registered nurse. I want to build on the experience that I’ve already got.”

He added: “I didn't think I’d ever go to university, to be honest. But I have passion for learning. Even when I was small, I was so curious. When I got the chance to go to university, I didn’t take it for granted - I followed it with my heart.”

John, who studied at UWE Bristol at the same time that his son Daniel was taking a degree in creative music technology at the university, spent one day a week learning at Glenside campus and the remainder of his week in his role at Southmead Hospital.

He explained: “We did lectures, group work and simulations, alongside practical aspects of nursing. I was aware that I was the oldest in my cohort but I always had confidence in myself. Being an older student among younger students kept me going - it made me feel younger.

“What I've learned has benefited me tremendously in terms of the patient care I give. It is also reflected in improved relationships with my colleagues and relationships with my managers.

“My time at UWE was excellent. I enjoyed it and I miss it - I will miss the lectures and the lecturers. The lecturers are so kind and hard working. I’ve learned from their professionalism. Everything is so student-centred and is tailored around the individual’s needs.”

Jacqui Caskey and Caroline Bromwich, Co-Programme Leads for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship course, said: “John is very dedicated and proof to anyone that hard work and perseverance can enable you to achieve your goal.

“He and his cohort are an inspiration to anyone thinking of following the apprenticeship route to becoming a registered nurse. They are assets and a credit to their employing organisations. Being a nurse apprentice is no mean feat - to study on a full-time programme while working in your usual role is not easy. They all juggle this with busy lives, along with family and caring commitments.”

Professor Steve Hams, Chief Nursing and Improvement Officer at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud to see John graduate from his Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship and begin his career as a registered nurse at Southmead Hospital.

“His journey is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue your ambitions. Through dedication, compassion and hard work, John has progressed from healthcare support worker to registered nurse, demonstrating the life-changing opportunities that apprenticeships can provide.

“We congratulate John on this fantastic achievement and look forward to seeing the contribution he will continue to make to patient care.”