Becky T

Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?

I chose to study the Primary and Community Care SPQ Community Children’s Nursing with integrated prescribing (V300) at Surrey because of its strong reputation for developing autonomous, forward-thinking community practitioners. The course content closely aligned with my career aspirations and my passion for delivering high-quality, family-centred care to children with complex needs.

The integrated prescribing element was particularly appealing, as it supports timely clinical decision-making and strengthens safe care delivery within the community. Surrey’s location also allowed me to balance my professional responsibilities alongside my studies, enabling me to fully commit to my development while continuing to support my team.

What are the best things about Surrey and your course?

One of the best things about studying at Surrey has been the supportive academic staff, who are approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in student development. Their guidance has encouraged critical thinking and reflective practice, helping me to grow both clinically and professionally.

The collaborative learning environment has also been invaluable. Studying alongside community nurses from different regions has created opportunities to share experiences, explore varied service models, and discuss innovative approaches to care. These discussions have broadened my understanding of community nursing at a system level and strengthened my confidence in contributing to service improvement.

The course also helps students move beyond individual patient encounters, fostering strategic, system-level thinking while complementing practical service development. Through the SPQ, I have gained a deeper understanding of leadership, budgeting, and organisational priorities, and how these shape the services we provide.

What are the best things about life here as a postgraduate student?

Studying as a postgraduate at Surrey has provided significant professional growth and a strong sense of connection. The experience has strengthened my resilience, time management, and confidence in autonomous practice, all of which have positively influenced my role within the team. 

Balancing postgraduate study with ongoing clinical practice has made the learning immediately meaningful and directly applicable. Networking with peers from different services has helped me build lasting professional relationships and gain insight into the diverse needs of communities across the region. Sharing policies, pathways, and service models encourages innovation and broadens understanding of population-level care. 

Overall, this experience has fostered both personal and professional development, equipping me to contribute more proactively within my team and advocate effectively for children and their families.

What are your career plans?

Undertaking the SPQ has also supported me in securing a Deputy Sister position within the Children’s Community Nursing team. The programme has developed my leadership confidence and helped me think more strategically about service delivery, budgeting, and organisational priorities. 

The course has strengthened my clinical decision-making, enhanced my leadership confidence, and developed my ability to think more strategically about service delivery. I now look forward to consolidating my role as a Specialist Community Children’s Deputy Sister, continuing to embed these advanced skills within my practice.

Going forward, I plan to undertake the Specialist Practice Nursing (Top Up) MSc to further enhance my academic, clinical, and leadership expertise. I aspire to continue developing my knowledge and capabilities within community children’s nursing, contributing meaningfully to service development and helping to shape innovative, accessible community services.

What advice do you have for students thinking of doing this course?

Embrace it fully. This course is demanding but transformative. I would encourage students to embrace every opportunity for growth, apply learning directly into practice, and engage openly with lecturers and peers. Actively participating in the collaborative learning environment will strengthen confidence, leadership skills, and professional autonomy.

It requires commitment, organisation, and resilience, particularly when balancing study with clinical responsibilities, but it is highly rewarding. The course provides a strong foundation for advanced community practice and offers meaningful opportunities to shape the future of children’s services. The course equips you with the knowledge, autonomy, and leadership skills needed to make a lasting difference. For anyone passionate about holistic, family-centred care, it is an invaluable step forward.

Find out more about our Primary and Community Care SPQ Community Children's Nursing PGDip and our Primary and Community Care SPQ Community Children's Nursing PGDip with integrated prescribing (V300)