Alicia Millthorpe - MSc in Advancing Practice
Alicia Millthorpe, who is originally from Yorkshire but lives in Moray, has seen her efforts of returning to university to change career paths to help improve public health rewarded.
“Throughout the pandemic, I was a midwife and worked during lockdown, quickly noticing its effects on the public. I supported some young mothers and recognised the need for early intervention in both health and social aspects of their lives to promote positive outcomes, which prompted me to go into School Nursing. I felt I could positively impact the next generation of young people and, in turn, improve public health.”
The 32-year-old decided to uproot her life in England and relocate to the North East of Scotland to pursue a postgraduate degree to secure a role in her new field of study. Having the possibility to study the course online made it possible for Alicia to further her studies and enhance her skills.
“Scotland had always appealed to myself and my son as we'd had lots of roadtrips to different parts of the country and thought it was beautiful and the perfect place to live and have an adventure.
“I had always wanted to move away from my hometown but during the Covid-19 pandemic, it became more important to me to achieve this. I began looking for jobs and came across a Trainee School Nurse post in Moray, where I could work alongside completing the postgraduate diploma with RGU.
“The course was online learning which made it possible for me to manage my own studies and complete modules at times that were suitable for me and my work whilst maintaining a healthy work-life-study balance.”
Adapting to life back in university hasn't been without challenges, but the graduate credits RGU’s support and valuable placements in helping her accomplish her goal, adding: “It was difficult to get used to online lectures as I had previously only been in classroom lectures, but the tutors were accessible if I needed them. This mode also helped me improve my time management and organisational skills.
“My two 10-week placements also enabled me to work with different practice supervisors, which proved valuable for my learning and helped me experience how different practitioners worked while developing my own way of working. The tutors were helpful, providing me with ideas for placement areas which enabled me to see how services and members of the wider team worked and have an overview of their practice areas.”
Since completing her studies, Alicia has accepted a School Nurse role in Yorkshire. As a graduate, she was able to reflect on her time at RGU and the decision to head back into higher education.
“The content of the modules was relevant to School Nursing and allowed me to develop my knowledge in leadership as well as public health issues and child protection concerns. I have expanded my scope of practice into School Nursing and can offer support and guidance to school-aged children related to their health.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to Yorkshire with new knowledge and improved organisational skills. I have really enjoyed the course, and the flexibility of online learning has enabled me to earn a postgraduate diploma whilst working and maintaining an adventurous personal life with my son in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.”