NWRC graduate Tonya drafted in to help with COVID-19 response

Little did she know that three years later, the skills she had developed as a third year nurse would become vital.

Tonya, now in the third year of a Nursing Degree at Magee, will graduate as a Registered Nurse in September, but she has already been mobilised to assist in the COVID-19 response.

She joins scores of former NWRC students, now working on the frontline during the pandemic, as nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, radiologists, carers, healthcare workers, midwives and sonographers.

Tonya returned to education in 2016 when she enrolled on NWRC’s Adult Learning University Access Diploma in Health and welfare Course, validated by Queen’s.

The mum of three said she thought she had missed her chance at education until she found the NWRC Access Course when she was 31.

“I had been working in domiciliary care for a few years, and then progressed to team leader. I had then been offered a post which was mainly assigned to registered nurses and thought if I’m capable of that post surely I would be capable of being a nurse? So on a whim I sent for the prospectus to NWRC and spoke to a few staff in the college who directed me on the best pathway to take me on my nursing journey. 

“I found the Access Course brilliant. It was straight forward – with an abundance of support and guidance from all the staff.

“It was difficult getting back into education after a gap but I completed it and did very well in the end.  I graduated from NWRC and went to Ulster University at Magee three months later, in September 2017. The access course really prepared me for university, I had regained the routine and mentality of studying again, as well as the education I received.  I am now 3rd year student nurse redeployed into the workforce to assist the NHS to support the Covid-19 response.”

Theresa McLoone Course co-ordinator – University Access Diploma in Health and Welfare said: “Many people, for various reasons were unable to complete their education when they were younger. Our Access Course at NWRC offers an opportunity for students normally over 19 years of age on July 1 in the year of entry and who have normally been out of full time education for at least a minimum of two years, a chance to return to study on a full time or part time basis, at our Strand Road and Strabane campuses.”

Visit www.nwrc.ac.uk/apply or email [email protected]