Lucia’s nurse apprenticeship journey at Shepton Mallet
Meet Lucia, Registered Nurse at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, whose nursing apprenticeship played a vital role in shaping her professional identity.
Lucia Cata was a Customs Officer in her native Romania and it was only when she moved to the UK that she started harbouring a dream of becoming a nurse. She began as a Healthcare Assistant before training to step up to be a Nurse Associate at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet. fast-forward a few years, she has successfully completed her apprenticeship and is now a fully qualified Registered Nurse, continuing to build her career at Shepton Mallet.
Lucia said:
“Nursing is one of the most fulfilling jobs on a personal, professional, and spiritual level. The opportunity to interact on such a personal level with patients is one of the most satisfying elements of nursing. There are several factors that encouraged me to pursue this profession. One of them is that I love people. It is incredibly soul satisfying for me to interact with them, be in their presence, and care for them. I am so glad I chose to work for Practice Plus Group Hospital, Shepton Mallet, as they offer so much support to their nurse apprentices and newly qualified nurses. I am extremely proud of who I am today”.
Nurse apprenticeship built on passion
Lucia reflected on completing her apprenticeship:
“Thise journey of becoming a fully qualified Registered Nurse has been fundamental in shaping my professional identity and strengthening my sense of accountability. Developing accountability within my practice has increased my confidence to advocate effectively for my patients, prioritising safety, dignity and person-centred care, in accordance with the principles of prioritising people and practising effectively”.
Since qualifying, Lucia has continued to develop her practice and take on additional responsibilities, including her roles as a Freedom to Speak Up Champion and ANTT Trainer.
She added:
“Through these roles, I actively support a culture of openness, learning, and shared accountability, enabling staff to raise concerns and maintain high standards of infection prevention and control”.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to those who supported and guided me throughout my apprenticeship and ongoing professional development. I am especially thankful to my Hospital Director, Catherine Farr; my Head of Clinical Services, Heidi Soderlin; and my Ward Manager, Simon Henderson, for their leadership, encouragement and belief in my potential”.
“I am also deeply grateful to my ward team and colleagues across the hospital, whose continuous support, guidance and shared commitment to learning have contributed significantly to my professional and academic growth. Their support has played a vital role in helping me develop into a confident, reflective and compassionate nursing professional”.
Supporting the future workforce
Hospital Director at Shepton Mallet, Catherine Farr, said:
“At Shepton Mallet, we are committed to attracting and retaining a local workforce while upskilling our people, offering career development and future-proofing the high-quality treatment we provide to our NHS and private patients. I’m very proud of our apprentices and the dedication they show”.
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