A Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice, who graduates from Staffordshire University this summer, has been called ‘a credit to our organisation’ by her employers.

Carly Forrester, who works at East Cheshire Hospice in Macclesfield, will graduate with first class honours.

The hospice is so proud of her achievement that it’s shared the news throughout the organisation and even highlighted Carly’s success at its recent Care Clinical Governance meeting.

“I’ve worked with Carly for six years so I’ve witnessed her drive, her skills and her knowledge within the palliative care field,” said Claire Barber, Inpatient Unit Manager at East Cheshire Hospice.

“We as an organisation facilitated her professional development, During this time it was quite clear that she wanted to progress her professional knowledge, so we helped her to take this to the next level. This included seconding her to fulfil her training. She’s come back to us with her new qualification.”

She added: “Getting a first class honours degree is incredible. We look forward to watching Carly grow even further and to seeing what the future holds for her.”

Carly has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category of the Staffordshire University Business Awards.

She said she initially started the apprenticeship to expand her knowledge and skills in nursing practice and has been able to work on her confidence and self-awareness to enable her to take on extra responsibilities at the hospice.

She said she’s found the work life balance of being an apprentice difficult at times but that dedication and a commitment to succeed made the journey easier.

Carly added that she worked with peers on the course to benefit from their own skills and knowledge.