Shahira’s Inspiring Journey from Carer to Registered Nurse at Field House

At Bristol Care Homes, we believe in investing in people – in their potential, their growth, and their dreams. Today, we proudly share in the below interview the story of Shahira, the first member of our team to qualify as a Registered Nurse through our carer-to-nurse development pathway.

Her journey spans years of dedication, resilience, and personal transformation, and it demonstrates exactly what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity.

What inspired you to pursue a career in nursing?

I’ve always felt drawn to caring for people during the most vulnerable stages of their lives. Working in a nursing home gives you time to build meaningful relationships. Residents aren’t just passing through – you get to know their personalities, their stories, their humour, their fears. That connection really inspired me.

What also motivated me was watching the nurses I worked with. Their confidence, their decision-making, the comfort they offered… they were real role models for me. I remember thinking, “If I work hard enough, maybe I can make that kind of difference too.”

Nursing was always at the back of my mind, even before I knew a pathway existed – but seeing the Bristol Care Homes nurses in action made the dream feel real.

You’ve been with Bristol Care Homes since 2014. How has your role and passion for care evolved over the years?

When I first started, my focus was on the practical tasks of care. I was confident in hands-on work, but I didn’t yet understand the full depth of holistic, person‑centred care.

Over time, as I built relationships with residents and their families, everything changed. I realised:

• Care is not just doing tasks – it’s also about listening.
• It’s being present.
• It’s understanding someone’s history, preferences, and emotions.

I also grew as a person. I used to doubt myself academically – university study felt unimaginable for me. But working here gave me confidence. People believed in me long before I believed in myself.

And of course, being here 11 years, I’ve seen so much growth – in myself and in the care home. The support and encouragement at Bristol Care Homes have played a huge part in my development.

What motivated you to pursue the Nurse Associate Training and eventually become a Registered Nurse?

The motivation was always there – to become a nurse, provide better care, and grow professionally. But I didn’t know how to get there. Nobody before me had taken this route from a private care home, so the process wasn’t clear.

I shared my ambition openly with our home managers, and together with them and senior group management, we explored how to make it possible within a care‑home setting.

What followed is something I’m incredibly proud of: a solution was created collaboratively. The Nurse Associate pathway became the stepping stone to my Registered Nurse qualification – and it wasn’t just introduced at Field House.

Bristol Care Homes implemented the route across all four homes, so more colleagues could access the same opportunity. That’s who Bristol Care Homes is: if there’s a genuine desire to grow, they will find the way.

The programme allowed me to study while continuing to work, and it gave me the confidence to continue into the full Registered Nurse qualification.

What was the most rewarding part of the Nurse Associate Programme?

Applying my new knowledge directly to residents’ care. When you learn something in theory and then use it at work – and see the immediate positive change – it’s incredibly rewarding.

A few moments stand out:

• Managing a complex wound and seeing healing progress.
• Administering medication confidently.
• Communicating more effectively with residents and professionals.
• Understanding the “why” behind clinical decisions.

But on a personal level, the most powerful moment was my first module result. I genuinely thought they’d made a mistake. I couldn’t believe I’d done that well. That one result changed something inside me – it made me feel capable in a way I hadn’t before.

And then people started asking for my clinical opinion – staff, nurses, even doctors. Suddenly, I had a nursing voice. It felt surreal and empowering at the same time.

Becoming a Registered Nurse is a huge achievement. What were the biggest challenges you faced?

Balancing full-time work with university, placements, and personal life was incredibly difficult. There were days I felt completely overwhelmed.

What helped me?

• Very good organisation.
• Planning every week in advance.
• Breaking assignments into manageable pieces.
• Setting deadlines and sticking to them.
• Prioritising the essentials.

Without that planning, I would have been lost.

There were also tough moments in my personal life at the same time, which made everything harder. But focusing on the goal – becoming a nurse – kept me going. I realised I was more resilient than I thought.

Most importantly, none of this would have been possible without the people around me.
I’m deeply grateful to our home management team for their flexibility and encouragement, and to my wonderful colleagues for the constant support, check‑ins, and practical help when I needed it most. Their belief in me made all the difference.

How did Bristol Care Homes support you throughout the journey?

I cannot praise the support enough. Honestly, I feel I was one of the most fortunate students.

• My managers were flexible with my shifts.
• I was given protected time for assignments when needed.
• My mentor was always available – academically and personally.
• Regular check‑ins helped me stay on track.
• The environment here is encouraging and motivating.

I always felt like I could reach out – and that people actually wanted me to succeed. That kind of support makes all the difference.

Bristol Care Homes didn’t just employ me – they invested in me. And I’ll always be grateful for that.

Was there a moment during the training that confirmed you were on the right path?

There wasn’t one single moment – it was the accumulation of many experiences. Every placement taught me something new. Every resident interaction made me realise this is exactly where I want to be.

Even the things I was not very comfortable doing, like giving presentations, eventually became moments where I felt, “I’m doing this. I’m really doing this.”

When you go from fear to confidence, that’s when you know you’re on the right path.

As the first to qualify through our programme, how does it feel to pave the way for others?

It feels incredible. I feel very proud that my journey is helping others.

The other trainees often message me to ask questions or get advice. Supporting them emotionally and academically has been one of the best parts of all this.

One of them even attended my graduation because she was so proud – that meant so much to me.

What advice would you give to others considering the Nurse Associate programme or a career in nursing?

Know your “why.” Nursing isn’t just a job – it’s a calling.

If your heart is in it, and you’re ready for the challenge, it’s the most rewarding path. But you must:

• Be motivated.
• Be dedicated.
• Embrace learning.
• Ask questions.
• Lean on your support network.
• Accept that growth is uncomfortable sometimes.

If you do that, you’ll never regret it.

You have recently been promoted to Clinical Lead. How does it feel to step into this new role?

Being promoted to Clinical Lead still feels surreal in the best possible way. When I look back at where I started – a carer who wasn’t sure she could ever succeed academically – and then see where I am now, it feels like the result of years of support, belief, and genuine investment from Bristol Care Homes.

This promotion means more than a job title. It’s the continuation of a journey that began the moment I told my nurse managers I wanted to grow. They listened. They encouraged me. And together with home management and senior group management, they didn’t just help me find a way – they created one for me.

In my new role as Clinical Lead, I want to continue giving back to the team that believed in me. I hope to support others the way I was supported – guiding, encouraging, and helping them see the potential they sometimes can’t see in themselves. Helping people grow is something I care deeply about, because I know exactly how life‑changing it can be.

Now that you’re a Registered Nurse and Clinical Lead, what are your goals for the future?

Right now, I’m focusing on building my confidence in the role. After that, I’d love to specialise – maybe in tissue viability, diabetes care, or dementia care.

Leadership interests me. I know strong clinical leadership can transform care homes, and I’d love to continue contributing to that.

Development motivates me – knowing that there’s a path forward makes me want to keep improving.

What impact do you hope to make as a Registered Nurse and Clinical Lead?

For residents, I want to provide truly holistic care – not just treating symptoms, but supporting their emotional and social well-being. Advocating for them is incredibly important to me.

For colleagues, I want to be someone they can rely on. Having worked as a carer, I understand their role deeply, and that helps me guide and support them.

I want the team to feel valued, confident, and supported – just like I was during my journey.

Looking back, what are you most proud of? And what message would you share with the team that supported you?

I’m proud of my resilience. I proved to myself that I’m capable of so much more than I ever imagined. I grew not only as a nurse, but as a person.

To the team: thank you. Every kind word, every rota adjustment, every bit of encouragement – it mattered. Your belief in me helped me believe in myself. This achievement belongs to all of us.

As a naturally more reserved person, stepping into a nurse’s role was terrifying – but the support around me made it possible.

Closing Reflection

Shahira’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when passion meets opportunity.

Her story demonstrates the impact of Bristol Care Homes’ commitment to developing and uplifting our staff – creating real pathways for growth, confidence, and professional success.

Her achievement is not just a milestone for Field House, but a symbol of what’s possible for every carer who dreams of becoming a nurse.

We are incredibly proud of Shahira – and excited for the many future nurses who will follow the path she helped pave here at Bristol Care Homes.