Belle Stevenson had always wanted to pursue a career in nursing and is now living out her lifelong dream in a nursing post in Derry.
Nursing is in Belle's genes, with several generations of her family having served the local community, including an aunt who was a midwife during World War II, and another more recently who was a Director of Nursing.
However, Belle left school at 15 and did not feel ready to take on such a professional role. Instead, she decided to spend time travelling and working, before getting married and raising a family.
Read more: Derry City and Strabane Council deny popular football pitches will be turned into dump
Throughout her life, Belle has faced some personal challenges, which at times seemed insurmountable. This coupled with the deaths of a newborn baby and young child in her family strengthened her desire to become a nurse.
Belle said: "Following an acrimonious marriage break-up, I took the plunge at the age of 48 to get back into education and follow my dream to become a nurse.
"When I joined Ulster University, I instantly felt at home and loved the sense of community and culture at the Derry campus."
Belle completed practice-based learning which has given her the confidence and much-needed skills to prepare for the world of nursing.
She said: "These opportunities have enabled me to interact and connect with patients and their families which I hope makes a difference to their day.
"I am happy to be there for them – whether that’s just by listening to them, talking to them, holding their hand during a medical procedure, sitting quietly at the bedside of a palliative patient or with someone at the end of their life, comforting them and supporting their family in the final hours.
"This can be both emotional and humbling but very rewarding. It’s an honour to be that person who provides comfort and compassionate care at these most difficult times."
Studying to become a nurse during the pandemic posed its own challenges, but Belle describes how the support systems in place both at Ulster University and the Western Trust gave her the encouragement she needed.
She said: "At times, things were overwhelming, and I did nurse some incredibly sick patients, but emotional support was always provided by staff and peers in clinical settings, and by teaching staff and supervisors from the university."
Alongside her studies, Belle has won several internal university awards as well as winning the Student of the Year award in the inaugural NI Health and Social Care Awards and she was named as a finalist in the UK-wide Nursing Times Awards in two categories.
Last year, Belle had the opportunity to represent the School of Nursing in a surprise virtual zoom call with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, followed by a face-to-face visit on campus later in the year.
Belle is now following in her family’s footsteps as she takes up her lifelong dream post as a registered staff nurse with the Neonatal ICU at Altnagelvin Hospital where she will be providing care to newborn babies and supporting their families.
READ NEXT:
Meet the Derry company helping to tackle the NHS waiting list crisis
Causeway Coast and Wild Atlantic Way set to be connected under multimillion-pound brand link
Derry campaigners say potential running down of Radio Foyle "a slap in the face"
Huge 24-hour busk event to take place in Derry to raise funds for homelessness
To get the latest breaking news from Co Derry straight to your inbox, sign up to our free newsletter.
