Danielle Edge: teaching the nurses of the future

Danielle tells us how studying at Plymouth enabled her to move into teaching

"Training to become a children's nurse at Plymouth enables you to be a better nurse once qualified. I truly believe that I am the nurse I am today because of my three years of training and the experience I gained."

Danielle Edge

Danielle Edge graduated from BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health) in 2009 and now works as a Lecturer in Children's Nursing at London Southbank University.

This is Danielle's story

"Training to be a children's nurse at Plymouth prepared me for the challenges of nursing on busy wards. I was given the opportunity to care for my own patients from year 1 and then moving to work with junior students to improve my delegation skills. 

With my cousin Elliott starting his first year in my last, we got to do a placement together and I remember my love for teaching beginning. If we had spare time on the wards I would take the students and teach them skills – such as observations, blood sugar monitoring, taking cannulas out.

I had a great group of friends that used to study together. I made some lifelong friends and my best friend, Grace. And of course our lecturers in particular; Janet Kelsey who was clearly so passionate about nursing and I will never forget being so scared when she came on the ward to do a shift! And Neil Bloxham who always made learning interesting on the wards and in lectures.

Plymouth gave me the opportunities to build my confidence as a student children's nurse and then a registered nurse. The lecturers taught and supported us throughout our training to be critical thinkers. I think this allowed me to have the confidence to question and reflect on my practice as a qualified nurse.

I had such a great experience at Plymouth. It's in a great location by the sea, perfect for BBQs. I made amazing friends, was lucky to be trained at Plymouth and work in the partner trusts to gain a wealth of experience across the Peninsula.

Upon graduating from Plymouth in 2009 I moved to London where I worked as a staff nurse on a busy district general hospital for two years. Whilst working on the ward I completed my mentorship qualification. I then set off on my travels and worked as a bank nurse in Australia for a year before coming home to Devon. 

The best experience I had nursing on wards was in Australia at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. I was made to feel part of the team even though I worked banked shifts on different wards and gained the best clinical experience with support from everyone.

In 2013 I moved back up to London and started working as a charge nurse at a private children's hospital for 18 months. After catching the teaching bug I moved into a practice development nurse role in a large London trust, where I worked for two years also gaining my NMC teacher qualification and PGCert in practice education. I was then given the opportunity to work at London Southbank University; I started in December 2016 and this is where I currently work as a Lecturer in Children's Nursing.

I would never have thought that eight years after qualifying I would be teaching the nurses of the future, but I am and part of that is due to my three years of training."

Shape the future of nursing

Caring for children and young people with a wide range of needs is a challenging and fulfilling career. From newborns to adolescents and beyond, you’ll gain experience of supporting children and their families during periods of great change and stress. 

Early placement opportunities across the South West will develop your clinical and communication skills and your understanding of caring in hospital and community settings. You will graduate ready to start shaping the future of nursing.

Study BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)

The BSc (Hons) Nursing (Child Health)