When Oluchi Okoroafor was named Support Worker of the Year at the Black Healthcare Awards in London, it was more than a personal achievement, it was a powerful reminder of how re-education can transform careers and lives.
Oluchi originally came to the UK to study media, but after her daughter’s premature birth and the life-saving care provided by nurses, she felt inspired to retrain.
Choosing to pursue Adult Nursing at the University of Salford, she embraced every opportunity education had to offer, excelling in her modules, thriving on placements, and even co-founding a peer support programme to help international students adjust to life in the UK, whilst also working as a Senior Healthcare Assistant at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Her journey shows what can be achieved when passion, resilience, and the right educational pathway come together. Now working in respiratory care, Oluchi is not only shaping her own future but also inspiring others who may be considering a return to education.
‘I realised Nursing was my calling.’ She said. ‘I try to encourage colleagues and students to be proactive.’
‘This award is not just for me… It’s for every student who thinks they can’t do it, every parent who’s struggled, everyone who feels like giving up. My story shows – you can achieve anything.’
This message is particularly timely as the Practice Education and Development (PED) Team prepare to welcome the next cohort of students onto the Practice-Based Pathway (PBP) this September.
Designed to recognise prior learning and experience, the PBP offers healthcare staff, like Oluchi once was, the chance to take the next step into nursing. With three intakes a year and its very first graduates set to qualify at the end of 2025, the pathway is creating more opportunities than ever for those ready to reimagine their careers.
Oluchi’s success proves that re-education is not just about gaining new qualifications, it’s about unlocking potential, building confidence, and ultimately making a difference in patient care.
The PED Team are hosting an Open Evening on Monday 22nd September (3–6pm, Royal Preston Hospital) for anyone interested in following in Oluchi’s footsteps and pursue a career in nursing. The event is open to all and showcases how the Practice-Based Pathway can support people at every stage of their journey into nursing.
For more information or to discuss applying, contact the team at Study.Nursing@lthtr.nhs.uk.
