Paul McArdle – BSc Adult Nursing
At aged 15, Paul left school in his hometown of Monaghan, Ireland, to work in the family print business. He worked for 22 years, before the economic downturn hit in 2008/09 and he subsequently went bankrupt.
This prompted a radical rethink about his career. Paul had left school with little formal education and decided to re-train as an acupuncturist at College of Naturopathic Medicine at Dublin and London. It was here that a lecturer suggested he’d be a good nurse and a light bulb went off.
“I realised that this could be a fantastic way of helping people with their health problems from both a western and eastern prospective. I had a very keen interest in people's health having lost my mother to multiple sclerosis when she was only 38 years old and suffered for over 10 years with this illness. I was always fascinated about how a person's mind and mindset could affect their health.”
Paul started his nursing journey at the London South Bank University. As a student, he worked through the pandemic on a busy Covid ward. After 18 months dealing with Covid deaths daily, he was frustrated, physically, emotionally and wanted to get his studies back on track.
A friend suggested he’d like Aberdeen because it was very similar to his home back in Ireland, so he applied to RGU after being impressed by the university facilitates. He’d also received really positive feedback from various forums about the nursing degree and was impressed by the city of Aberdeen.
Fast forward, three years, and Paul says it’s a decision, he’s not regretted as he prepares to graduate with a BSc Adult Nursing.
“When I look back over the past 3 years and the years leading up to studying here, I get quite emotional that I’ve finally made it through with so many highs and lows. I’ve really enjoyed my time here, and don’t think the journey is fully over. There’s more to come.
“The past three years have gone so fast, and I truly believe I wouldn’t have got through without my classmates and family. I’m sure everyone in the class would say the same. A nursing degree is very hard with all the placements and academic work, but it’s also such an enjoyable and rewarding degree.
“My placements as a nursing student stand out, as they cover the whole of the Grampian area. This is unique, as students can travel to the Islands, and many other places outside the Aberdeen area. I don’t think many other universities offer an experience like this. The placements are a great learning experience as you get to see what it’s like to work in a hospital, yet you’re still protected as a student which prepares you for the big step into nursing.”
Paul has severe dyslexia and says he’s had amazing support from RGU’s Inclusion Service and RGU Library.
Out with his studies, Paul became a RGU Student Ambassador which has been a great way to meet people beyond the classroom.
He has also benefited from the RGU Free Student Membership at RGU Sport which has kept his mind and body healthy and encouraged him to take on a major life challenge.
“The gym facilities at RGU are amazing and the swimming pool got me back into swimming. I had the idea about 16 years ago to swim the English Channel. Thanks to the facilities at RGU and the confidence I’ve gained studying nursing, I’m now looking forward to doing my charity swim next summer.
“I’m fundraising for four charities which include the Friends of the Neuro Ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Woodend Hospital where I have banked a lot as healthcare support worker and can see the amazing work for families and patients of Neuro issues and the money they have raised over the years is amazing,
“I’m also fundraising for Multiple Sclerosis (Ireland) and the Super You Project set up to empower young people to achieve great things.
“My fourth charity is the Muhammad Ali Centre in America. I had a close connection to Muhammad for about 13 years and the work the organisation still does to help young people achieve the greatness within them. This swim all came about again because I used the swimming pool at RGU one day about two and a half years ago.”
As Paul graduates, he’s waiting to hear back from job applications to become a newly qualified nurse and has ambitions to progress his career.
“I would like to get into management further down the line and to use the skills I’ve learnt at University. I’m also keen to bring the knowledge I’ve learnt, into other aspects of my life. I’m a traditional Chinese Acupuncturist and do this part time so the skills I’ve learnt academically at RGU, have given me the confidence to study this at a higher level.”
“I’ve learnt so much about myself at university. I realise that at aged 48, you never stop learning. You should never give up, no matter what. Yes, there will be difficult times in your career, but if you keep in mind the tough times while on placements, you’ll find a way to overcome any obstacle.
“I have really enjoyed my time at RGU and am very grateful to all the lecturers, mentors, and my fellow students, many of whom are my friends now, who I have crossed paths with over the past 3 years. Throughout my training, I’ve spoken to people of all ages, who have either worked in care or are thinking about a career in care and nursing, and I’ve said to just go for it.
“Nursing is a really rewarding job and it’s very seldom that any two days are the same. You get to meet so many fantastic people, and when you walk away from a 12-hour shift, you know that you have made a difference in someone else's day.”