Improving mental health for all
Passionate about the mental health of young people, Georgina wants to put the experience and knowledge she’s gained during her time at Cardiff University into practice to have an impact on and to improve mental health for all.
Mental health nurse Georgina is looking to play her part in the jigsaw puzzle that makes up the NHS, working together to support the public.
Passionate about the mental health of young people, she wants to put the experience and knowledge she’s gained during her time at Cardiff University into practice to have an impact on and to improve mental health for all.
She believes her time at university with us has helped her to grow in resilience and prepare to be a part of the workforce, while presenting her with plenty of opportunities to further her career too. An academic rep, Nursing Times award nominee and passionate and capable nurse – Georgi has already achieved more than she ever believed possible. We believe this is only the beginning, and her care and enthusiasm for helping others is going to make Georgina a truly stand out member of the NHS.
“We not only have good links with the NHS and private sector, but we also have a really great team of lecturers.”
Georgina believes her time at university with us has helped her to grow in resilience and prepare to be a part of the workforce, while presenting her with plenty of opportunities to further her career too.
Together, we can improve mental health for all
What inspired you to study mental health nursing?
I experienced my own battles with mental health. It was really difficult, but I got through it with the help of really supportive and kind nurses. It was them that inspired me to continue and to help other people. I really want to give back what was given to me and I hope that, once I’m a nurse, I can make a difference to at least one patient’s life.
Why is mental health so important?
Mental health, for many years, wasn’t something that anybody talked about. People suffered from anxiety and depression, but no one talked about it, or people were institutionalised. There wasn’t the right support out there, but we’re coming into an age where we’re working more with people in the community, and moving towards a more holistic way of looking at mental health. It’s really important that we continue that work. Mental health can affect somebody’s life in so many ways, and it’s crucial that we give people tools to be able to overcome that, and thrive, and have a good quality of life.
Tell us a bit about how you’ve worked together with other people at Cardiff
I’m part of the Spring cohort, which is quite a small cohort, but we’re a really close-knit group. We’re a group of like-minded people who really support each other, and we’re there for each other through the highs and the lows. I studied a ‘normal’ degree before going into nursing, and when I came back to study nursing, I quickly realised that this is so much harder than your average degree. It’s so important as nurses that we have that support system, because you do get compassion fatigue. I’m working on placement full time as well as juggling theory, and also working part time on the bank as a healthcare assistant. There are lots of demands on your time and attention, and it’s vital to have someone there to help you through it.
What are your plans after completing your degree?
When I graduate and qualify, I hope to work for the NHS. I’d love to be part of the jigsaw, coming together to support the public. I want to go on and support young people with their mental health, and eventually do my Master’s here at Cardiff University.
How do you feel about the idea that ‘together, we can’ make a difference?
I think together, we can have a real impact on and improve mental health for all. Cardiff University, and the community we have, helps to train more resilient student nurses and prepares for the workforce, and this not only helps more nurses to stay within the profession, but hopefully encourages more people to train as nurses. And that means a stronger NHS, to help support the people who need it most.
“Mental health can affect somebody’s life in so many ways, and it’s crucial that we give people tools to be able to overcome that, and thrive, and have a good quality of life.”
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