Gregor Ferguson - BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing

As an ambitious school leaver from Madras College in St.Andrews, sixteen year-old Gregor knew he wanted a job where he could make a difference to people’s life’s. Nursing appealed because it would be hugely rewarding and offer many different career options.

“It happened quite naturally. Many thought at aged sixteen, I was too young to go to university, but I was determined to go ahead. My elderly great grandmother had been quite frail for a number of years, and I was quite involved with her care, which convinced me that nursing was a career I wanted to go into.”

Gregor was impressed by the first-class reputation of the RGU’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice, which offered both clinical skills and simulation opportunities in its state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Centre.

The flexible entry requirements of the course also allowed Gregor to leave secondary school early and progress straight to university without the need to undertake a college course first.

Gregor is graduating with a BSc in Adult Nursing with first class honours and credits much of his success to the friendly and welcoming staff that teach on the course.

“I am extremely proud of myself and my time at university. Starting university with very little life experience, I have grown as a person and developed skills and abilities that have allowed me to excel into a much more well-rounded young professional.

“I found the teaching staff really supportive. They worked with me as an individual and offered flexible teaching methods to meet my learning needs. I also liked the flexibility of the teaching methods which meant I was able to stay in St. Andrews where I lived throughout my course, attending campus as and when required for in person classes.”

Whilst a student, Gregor was awarded a Half Scarlet Award, in recognition of the outstanding contribution he made advocating the voice of students in the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Practice. He also became a Student School Officer, where he liaised between students and senior staff at SNMP and became the President of the RGU Nursing Society, organising events to support student studies and placements.

One of the main highlights for Gregor throughout his course, was his Community Nursing placements at the Laurencekirk Health Care Centre, where he gained a passion for community nursing and the vital care that can be offered to people in their own homes to allow them to live independently, often for many years.

“Whilst I’d done placements throughout my course, I really enjoyed my 4th year placements as I was able to tailor these to my area of interest, which is Adult Nursing. I worked with a really supportive team and gained immeasurable experience, that has greatly enhanced my readiness for my first job upon leaving university.”

Gregor also benefitted from support from RGU’s Inclusion Centre throughout his studies, who offered advice and help with his additional support needs. He has a form of dyslexia and received help to access a disabled student allowance, exam support and advice on using different software to support his learning needs. He also received invaluable support from RGU’s Careers Support Service with applications and interview tips which helped him apply for his first post.

Now that Gregor has finished university, he is working as a Community Nurse visiting housebound patients in their own homes in Kincardine and Mearns (South Aberdeenshire). He hopes to apply for a place on the RGU MSc Advancing Practice course in District Nursing and says RGU has given him the confidence to take the next steps in his career.

“I have been able to take advantage of so many opportunities during my time at RGU and these have prepared me very well for the world of work in a 21st century NHS. I’m really enjoying my job as a Community Nurse and know that I have a bright future ahead working in nursing. I’m publishing an article in the British Journal of Community Nursing and am keen to develop more research in the future. There are so many career opportunities, and I am so pleased I took the opportunity to study nursing upon leaving school.”