Rohan
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health), 2022
From dealing with academic and mental health challenges to becoming a dedicated nurse, Rohan’s journey has been one of self-discovery and resilience.
Our BSc (Hons) Nursing (Mental Health) programme provided him with the opportunity to find his purpose. Now he’s using his skills to make a difference in young people’s lives.
This is his story.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be a nurse.
I originally planned on a career in sports
"Growing up in Middlesbrough, I was heavily involved in sports, especially football."
"I studied Sports Science and Exercise (BTEC) at college while also redoing some of my GCSEs.
"At the time, my goal was to pursue a career in sports, so I went to a nearby university in 2013 to study Sports Science. However, the transition from college to university was difficult, and I struggled academically.
"I later discovered I had learning difficulties, but at the time, I didn’t have the right support, which led to me leaving the course after six months.
"I tried again, enrolling at another local university for Physical Education, but I faced similar challenges and left after another year."
Rebuilding and reflecting
"After that, I decided university wasn’t for me and spent the next four years working various jobs."
"I found it difficult to stay in one place for too long, and my mental health suffered.
"With the support of my family, I sought therapy and underwent CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and counselling for two years. This helped me rebuild my confidence and reflect on what I really wanted in life.
"One thing I realised was that I had always enjoyed working with people - coaching, mentoring, and supporting them."
My dad suggested I consider nursing, and for the first time, it felt like something that truly aligned with my values.
Changing my life through Clearing
"My decision to study nursing came from a conversation with my dad."
"My mum is a nurse, so healthcare has always been part of my life. He suggested I consider nursing and maybe follow in my mum’s footsteps.
"I applied for nursing courses during Clearing with only two weeks until term was due to start and that’s when I found Bradford.
"Within two days of my application at Bradford, I had my interview. I then secured my place on the same day as my interview. That was a life-changing moment."
Managing challenges by adapting
"Starting my degree in Nursing at Bradford was an eye-opener."
"Given my previous experiences, I had low expectations for myself. But as I progressed through my first year, I became more engaged in learning, especially in anatomy, physiology, and the foundations of nursing.
"One of the biggest challenges was starting university just before COVID-19 hit. I was also playing for the University of Bradford football team, and in February 2020, I tore my ACL, just two weeks before the UK went into lockdown.
"This injury, combined with the pandemic, affected my ability to attend placements, which meant I had to make up a lot of hours.
"The switch to online learning was another hurdle. I’m a very social person and a kinaesthetic and visual learner, and losing face-to-face interaction made studying difficult.
"However, my experiences had taught me how to manage challenges, and I found ways to adapt. A standout aspect of my degree was the incredible support from my tutors. Having someone I could trust made all the difference."
A standout aspect of my degree was the incredible support from my tutors, especially Natalie, my Personal Academic Tutor (PAT).
My passion for mental health nursing
"In my third year, my passion for nursing was truly ignited."
"We began to learn more about mental health nursing, particularly trauma-informed care and therapeutic relationships.
"I became fascinated by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and their impact on development, which shaped my interest in working with young people."
I became a staff nurse, helping children and young people
"After graduating, I became a staff nurse at a standalone Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) inpatient unit for children and young people aged 13-18."
"Many young people experience difficult times when growing up, including emotional and behavioural problems which arise from a mental health condition.
"Young people experiencing such issues are usually referred to CAMHS, and are seen as outpatients by community CAMHS teams.
"However, if the problem is more severe and needs more intensive support then a referral to a specialist team or unit like ours may be appropriate.
"Every day is different. Parts of my role involves being the nurse in charge and overseeing staff allocations and patient care.
"I also provide meal support for young people with eating disorders, collaborate with a range of other professionals from the multidisciplinary team, and hold 1-2-1 conversations to support and provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions."
Nursing isn’t just a job for me. It’s my purpose.
I love my work
"For me, building strong therapeutic relationships is at the heart of everything I do."
"The better my connection with the young person, the more effective their care plan becomes.
"Seeing positive outcomes - when young people open up, trust me, and eventually successfully discharge from the service back into the community - is what makes this job so rewarding.
"I love my work because I know I’m making a difference. Every day, I turn up for my patients, and every day, I look forward to it. The most powerful thing is connection - helping a young person feel seen, heard, and understood."
My career goals
"I want to progress into a senior nursing position and develop better services."
"I’m passionate about neurodevelopmental disorders and am currently working on a specialist pathway for ADHD and autism.
"My lived experiences with mental health and neurodiversity (ADHD diagnosis) have shaped my career focus. I want to influence NHS services, ensuring they provide better care for young people with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.
"From struggling with mental health and needing to drop out of university, to qualifying as a nurse with a first-class honours degree and making a real difference, my journey hasn’t been easy.
"But every challenge taught me resilience, and now I’m using my experiences to help others overcome theirs."