Hello, my name’s John and I’m currently a Mental health nursing student at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

I honestly never planned to study mental health nursing but when I heard stories of the opportunities it offered; the research, the endless specialties, it was my first choice on the CAO.

Before commencing my training, I asked myself what three things would you like your career to be defined by. For me, I wanted a dynamic environment, a chance to be involved in change and the privilege to improve as many people’s lives as possible. Mental health nursing has offered all of this and more.

When I entered the Dundalk IT nursing building for the first time, I questioned my decision. It felt like I was a world apart from my friends who all shared a different building to me. I wondered if I had made a mistake, maybe I should’ve played it safe and followed my friend group, safety in numbers and all that. What I can say is that after day one, that notion vanished. I was hooked. Every word spoken, every slide presented and every booklet I read confirmed that a year prior, 17-year-old me had made the right call.

Over the past three years, I have spent countless hours learning, engaging and developing my practice with the help of staff, students and all the service users I’ve had the privilege to interact with. These moments have shaped who I am as a nursing student, resulting in a deep passion for all things mental health and recovery.

Each module I’ve completed has covered a diverse range of topics which have been taught with the student in mind. We all learn differently, mental health nursing utilises a mixed approach to teaching in the hopes that every student’s unique strengths are supported. I find that this course offers numerous opportunities for self-expression and gives students a platform to relate their personal interests to positive mental health.

Since the first year, I have been lucky enough to assist with open days, lectures, trainings, presentations and induction days. These moments have shown me the impact student nurses can have on others and that although we are in training, we still have valuable insight to offer. My college education and practical training have shown me time and time again the power that conversation and connection hold. How simply listening can a change a person’s perspective. How offering support can alter the path they decide to take. And how showing just an ounce of compassion, can improve their life immensely.

Of course, with any degree, there are ups and downs. We often doubt our ability, worry about mistakes we have yet to make and fear that eventually we will be left behind. Mental health nursing challenges this thinking pattern. It fosters a safe learning environment in which the class becomes a team immediately. We are not alone on our nursing journey and we share the same struggles and low moments, but by supporting each other we find the path that is right for us. This sentiment is what makes me proud to be a mental health nursing student, Class Representative and NMBI Student Ambassador. With the current growth of mental health and recovery in Ireland, I hope to see an increase in the number of nursing professionals across the nation.

I’d like to thank my lecturers for granting me the opportunity to represent my classmates with NMBI and hopefully encourage people from all backgrounds to pursue nursing as a career. I owe them a great deal for encouraging my growth as a student nurse and future healthcare professional, as they push me to expand my knowledge and remain open to change.

I want to also thank my classmates for supporting me during our training and embodying what it means to be a mental health professional. Finally, I wish to thank my fellow ambassador and good friend Modesta for joining me and offering constant guidance and support during my training.