“It’s the best job in the world” - University lecturer celebrates 50 years in nursing

A nursing lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton has marked a major career milestone after celebrating 50 years in nursing this month.

Carol Scott, from Kenilworth, discovered a passion for nursing at just ten years old while volunteering for British Red Cross.

With support from her parents, at the age of sixteen, Carol applied to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham where she was accepted to begin her training once she turned eighteen.

Training as a nurse in the early 1970s, Carol lived at the nurses’ home along with her cohort – a place that she would call ‘home’ for the next three years.

After a 12-week introductory block exploring different areas of nursing, Carol trained as a nurse through on-the-job training at hospitals across Birmingham – a time Carol reflects as the best three years of her life.

As a student nurse, Carol became part of the ward team, working alongside qualified nurses across different wards, and learning about different specialisms including intensive care, theatre, surgery, orthopaedics, and A&E.

Carol states throughout her training, one thing was always made clear – you’re a nurse before anything else.

Carol, aged 68, says: “It was a much stricter time, but I didn’t mind it as such, as I had always wanted to be a nurse. There were many rules to live by; being a nurse wasn’t just a job – it was a lifestyle.

“Nursing came before relationships and marriage, and there was no chance of getting away with ‘pulling a sickie’ – after all, we had nurses to check if you were ill.”

As a natural leader from an early age, Carol oversaw wards at the age of 20, before qualifying at the age of 21.

Once qualified, Carol returned home to Coventry as a staff nurse at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital in 1976 and studied an additional twelve-month course to specialise as an orthopaedic nurse - caring for those with musculoskeletal diseases, bone, or limb injuries before progressing to become a ward sister at the age of 23 years.

In her personal life, Carol waited to qualify before marrying her husband John in 1976 and went on to have three children.

With a dedication to nursing, Carol returned to Birmingham as a night sister, working part-time at Queen Elizabeth hospital to get the best of both worlds, balancing motherhood with her career – a role she thoroughly loved and carried out for over a decade.

Carol said: “I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years, both medically and professionally. Some changes have been for the good and others for the not-so-good.

“We had much better after-care back then, it was rare to see a patient return to the hospital. But I also see that there are different challenges hospitals are facing which is a lot of pressure on nurses – especially the good ones.

“To be a good nurse, you need to care about people. If your heart is not in it, you’re in the wrong job. I’ve laughed with patients, and I’ve cried with them; it’s an emotional rollercoaster at times. But nonetheless, it’s the best job in the world.”

Alongside her work commitments, Carol also furthered her education and went on to study for her BSc (Hons) and then her master’s at Coventry University.

Having enjoyed volunteering at British Red Cross, teaching younger generations first aid and care duties, Carol progressed to her current role where she teaches as a senior lecturer in Adult Nursing at the University of Wolverhampton, educating the next generation of nurses.

Carol said: “I honestly believe nursing and teaching are the best jobs in the world and I have been lucky enough to experience both careers.

“The best thing about my job is the appreciation; a simple ‘thank you’ from patients and students goes a long way. Knowing you’ve made a difference in someone’s life - whether that is physically or mentally, is a feeling like no other.

“I’m thankful I get to share my nursing journey with so many students, support them along the way and see them going on to achieve great things.

“Seeing students I’ve taught over the years dressed in their nurse’s uniforms, caring for others, and having a genuine love for their job is the best job satisfaction you could ever ask for – it’s what will make me forever proud to be a nurse.”

Carol celebrated 50 years in the profession with colleagues in nursing at the University.

Find out more about studying Nursing