Danielle Valentino began her career as a carer, became a senior carer then senior care home assistant practitioner and is now in the second year of a degree apprenticeship at University of Staffordshire to become a Nurse Associate.

The 32-year-old has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards by her Course Leader, Jennifer Beckett.

Jennifer said: “Dannie is an enthusiastic and conscientious Senior Nurse Associate who works extremely hard academically and achieves excellent feedback in practice. She is also a voice for her cohort group, acting as student representative.”

Danielle has been working at Bradwell Hall Nursing Home in Bradwell, Newcastle-under-Lyme, for 15 years.

Danielle said: “I’m shocked to have been nominated for an award. It’s unexpected. Everybody on the course is so deserving.

“I love the course. I love what I do for a living and enjoy being educated about it. The whole Nurse Associate team is amazing. The lecturers give us so much support and are always there if we need them. The support is constant.”