Patrina Loughran is no ordinary graduate. Today, she proudly crosses the stage at Queen’s University Belfast, where she is graduating with a degree in Learning Disability Nursing and the highest result across the whole nursing cohort.
A married mother of three and full-time carer, Patrina’s journey to this moment is nothing short of inspiring. She balanced the demands of her home life with her academic responsibilities, all while becoming a leading voice for her peers and advocating for positive change within the student community.
Her path into nursing was not a straightforward one. After working in a care home for adults with learning disabilities, Patrina felt a deep calling to pursue nursing but was initially hesitant about starting university as a mature student.
She recalls, “I was actually petrified. I nearly felt foolish thinking of starting a career at this point and only applied on the UCAS deadline day, but from the moment I started the course, I knew it was the right decision.”
Patrina quickly found a supportive and welcoming environment at Queen’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, where she went on to excel both academically and personally.
Her list of awards is impressive, beginning with the Foundation Award in learning disabilities in her first year, followed by the Shymol Thomas Award for Innovation in Nursing and the Academic Excellence Award for achieving top grades in her second year.
In 2024, Patrina was named the Royal College of Nursing’s Student Nurse of the Year, a national recognition that added to her growing list of accolades.
Outside of her studies, Patrina found that her fellow students naturally turned to her for advice and support. This led her to become a peer mentor, publish several blogs, and create a guidebook to help first-year students navigate their placements. She also advocated for improvements in student support, all of which led her to take on a leadership role as Chair of the Student Voice Committee.
Reflecting on her time at Queen’s, Patrina says, “The staff and my classmates were fantastic. They acted as my cheerleaders every step of the way which allowed me to be myself and gave me the confidence to make the most of every opportunity. I never dreamt I’d excel in this course, let alone win awards.”
She continues, “I started as a peer mentor because I remembered the feelings of dread I had, and I wanted to ensure new students felt supported and welcomed and to realise we’re all here to help each other. As Committee Chair, I felt that if we are going to work together in the future, we all need to get into the habit of boosting each other now using our individual strengths to foster a sense of pride and positivity.”
Now working as a Staff Nurse in a residential home for children with learning disabilities, Patrina is already applying the knowledge and skills she gained during her degree. She also co-leads the Royal College of Nursing’s Newly Qualified Nurse Network and continues to take on new challenges.
Patrina’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, passion, and the desire to make a difference. “Nursing has given me a future I’m excited about,” she says. “I’m grateful to have found something I love and hopefully I can inspire others to step out of their shell and be their brilliant selves.”
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