'Nursing was something I was always interested in, from my childhood. The smartness of the nurses, their prestige, their skills. It was something I was longing to get into.

I can't imagine that a dream I had years ago is really happening. I have wanted this for such a long time.'

'Before I applied for nursing, I was trying to decide whether it was too late for me to start a new career because I was a teacher previously in my country. As a teacher, I had had a background of communication with people and this has helped me on this course.

When I was teaching, I had to learn how to understand people better, their cultures, how they pursue things, what they believe.

Coming into nursing has helped me to understand that every person is different in a caring situation. You must treat them and communicate with them differently, as individuals.

At first, I didn't know where to start or where to go in order to apply for a nursing course. I thought that you had to have qualifications such as GCEs and a couple of A Levels or do the nursing entry exams until I went to Woolwich College and was told about the Access course.

What has helped me to stay on the course is that "inside" I feel so changed, especially with the confidence that I gained on my Access course. I am so much happier now.

I am much more focused on my career. I feel so much self-esteem now, especially when I am working with nurses. The patients too really appreciate your work.'