Mum says Open University makes care home nurse career possible

Working mum Lysette Ingram is training to be a care home nurse thanks to an Open University course which means she can study at home, while caring for her son and earning wages as a care worker.

‘I didn’t think nursing was a possibility for me’

Care assistant Lysette Ingram says “I didn’t think nursing was a possibility for me because I couldn’t afford not to work. I had looked into it, but there’s no way I couldn’t be earning.”  

During a training course as part of her care home job at Coupar Angus Care Home, Lysette discovered she could study to be nurse while still getting an income.

“I was actually on a Manual Handling training course at work and I got chatting to a lady who told me about a course she was doing through the Open University that was funded. So you were still paid while training.

‘I didn’t believe her at first! I kept saying to her ‘You get paid?’”

Her care home manager, Morag Shea confirmed that there was a course that would allow Lysette to keep working for Coupar Angus Care Home. Her salary would be paid by the Scottish Government, while she trained through the Open University.

Lysette says of the competitive course: “I decided straight away I wanted to go for it. It was quite a tricky application – it was a bit like going back to school!

“I had to write an essay, a personal statement and a few other things. Then, I got in!”

The working mum is one of just six students across Tayside who were given places on the four-year course.  

“Now that I’ve started the course, I’m so glad I have been a carer first. It has given me a really good understanding of what it is to care for somebody.

“After all, nursing is all about care and many of the nurses I’ve met on my placements have said it’s really good to have worked in care first.”

‘It works for me because its home based. I can look after my son’ 

The flexibility and financial support that the Open University course offered Lysette made a big difference to the working mum. It proved anything is possible including nursing training and a nursing career.

She says of the Open University course “They have a dashboard you log into with all your resources, lots of reading, videos, audio along with essays and assignments. It works for me because its home-based. I can look after my son, it makes things easier.”

During her four-year course, students go back to their base employer for their final placement each year.

“So, I get to return to Coupar Angus. It’ll be a little strange being a student, wearing the grey nursing uniform, but I know I will learn so much from the Senior Carers and nurses there.”

A spokesman for Balhousie Care Group (BCG) which runs Lysette’s care home, said: “We have many incredible nurses working to be provide the very best care for our residents every day. And, every one of our nurses’ journey into nursing is unique.  

“Some went straight to college or university to train as soon as they left school”, while others “…had whole other careers before they discovered nursing.

“Then there are the people who are born to be nurses, but life gets in the way”.

Lysette has worked in restaurants for years. After the birth of her son, a move from Edinburgh to rural Coupar Angus led to Lysette applying for a job at a local care home.

Hired as a care assistant at Coupar Angus Care Home in 2022, Lysette said: “It’s literally my favourite job! I wish I had done it when I was younger.”

“I think coming from hospitality and working in restaurants you can relate to the longer shifts, the work ethic and the camaraderie you build with your colleagues.

“In both industries you are helping people, so there’s lots of cross over.”

‘A good carer’ is ‘going to be a good nurse’

Lysette is excited about her future care home nursing career: “I keep telling people about the 6Cs of nursing – Care, Compassion, Courage, Communication, Commitment and Competence. As a nurse, I will strive to be all of these to the best of my ability.

“I’ve realised these qualities don’t just apply to nursing, and I try to live by them in all walks of life.”

“If you know you are a good carer then you know you are going to be a good nurse.”