Abstract
In this chapter, I offer some reflections of my journey as an expert within my field (Nursing) moving into academia and starting a new journey as a novice (academic). As a Registered Nurse, I could describe myself as a ‘’Jack of all trades and Master of none.” Given my experience in accident and emergency where I witnessed what some describe A and E as:‘’Anything and everything”. I could describe the journey as exposures across a lifespan from cradle to grave during patients’most vulnerable time. Working in a fast-paced, physically and challenging department within an NHS with staff shortages,resource shortages and targets to be met, I would say this developed my resilience, reactions as well as finding my “niche”.When patients presented with symptoms of a stroke to ED, I would find myself wanting to be involved and know more, it created curiosity to which I would find myself researching but reaching out to colleagues within this speciality to know more. The speciality of stroke was personally important to me as my father passed away from suffering a stroke. This was my niche and a timely opportunity meant I was able to progress my career as a Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).Focussing on one speciality was actually difficult and I would often hear from colleagues to focus on the ‘Stroke’ symptoms however, my experiences meant I adopted a holistic approach to patient care and would think wider. I made big differences in my time as a Stroke CNS and made positive changes to patient care in terms of stroke rehabilitation and whilst this was fulfilling, I felt I needed to do more: more for people like my father and more for patients across the lifespan with multicomorbidities.Following reflections and discussions with my family, I made the difficult decision to leave the NHS and pursue a career in academia. This meant a bottom-up approach to developing and shaping the nursing workforce of tomorrow through teaching and learning. My exposures in my career as a Registered Nurse have influenced my practice as an academic through developing learner engagement, resilience and diverse assessments and adaptive learning approaches that mirror the contemporary nursing practice today.