A Stockton-based Macmillan nurse has swapped the world of fashion for cancer care in a career change.
39-year-old Jennie Gibbs has worked for the Trust for 13 years, recently taking up specialised nurse training with Macmillan Cancer Support.
Her healthcare career has spanned across various Trust departments but it was in the haematology unit that Jennie found her true calling.
Jennie said: “Working in haematology, I was already caring for cancer patients and that it gave me a real sense of pride helping them in their treatment.
“I love everything about oncology and, when this development training with Macmillan came up, I knew it was the one for me.
“To get that funding and support from a renowned charity is a once in a lifetime opportunity, I am incredibly grateful that I have secured a place.”
The Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialist Workforce Development Programme is brand new to the North East and Yorkshire.
They are funding 42 Macmillan Clinical Nurse Specialists across Yorkshire and the North East.
The fully funded training scheme had just 16 places for the North East and North West of England, two of which were given to the Trust.
The course allows Jennie to work on the wards with chemotherapy patients alongside specialist training at Teesside University.
From marketing to nursing
The mother-of-two’s career has not always been in the healthcare sector.
Jennie commented: “When I left school I followed a different path. I completed a fashion and marketing course before starting my career in this industry.
“It was during this time that I took a work first aid course and I loved everything about it, especially the job satisfaction you receive from helping those in need. I decided immediately to quit my job and take the leap into healthcare.
“It was a risk for me to leave a full time salary but I always knew that it was the right path for me.”
Following an evening healthcare course at Middlesbrough College, Jennie then enrolled to study adult nursing at Teesside University aged 24.
“I’ve got a lot of friends who work in healthcare and their careers inspired me to take a leap. I enjoyed my time in marketing but I knew that there was more out there for me.
“I feel like my career is only just beginning and this training course has got me excited to see where the future takes me.”
