Emily joined Priory Llanarth Court as a healthcare worker in 2020 and is now a newly qualified mental health nurse, supported through her training by Priory’s sponsorship programme. In this blog, she shares her journey into nursing, the support that shaped her development, and what it means to provide compassionate, person-centred care as part of a multidisciplinary team.

1. What is your role at Priory, and what do you enjoy most about it?

I’m currently a newly qualified mental health nurse at Priory, having recently completed my training with their sponsorship support. My role involves delivering person-centred care to individuals with complex mental health needs, working as part of a multidisciplinary team to support recovery and wellbeing.

What I enjoy most about the role is the opportunity to build therapeutic relationships with service users and see the positive impact of compassionate, evidence-based care. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of someone’s journey towards recovery and to contribute to a supportive, team-focused environment.

2. How has your career progressed since joining Priory?

I firstly started as a healthcare worker and was encouraged by my ward manager to do my nurse training. Through the sponsorship programme while I was still a student, I’ve been supported right through my transition into a fully qualified nurse. The structured support from placement through to qualification has given me a strong foundation in clinical skills, confidence in decision-making, and exposure to a range of mental health conditions.

Now that I’m qualified, I’m focused on continuing to develop my practice and taking on more responsibility within the team. 

The support I’ve received from Priory has been excellent. From the start of my sponsorship, I was given mentorship, placement experience, and early exposure to the working environment. Since qualifying, I’ve had access to structured preceptorship, and regular supervision, which has been essential in developing my confidence and competence as a nurse.

My manager and senior colleagues have been approachable and invested in my development, regularly checking in, encouraging reflective practice, and supporting me to set professional goals.

I’d say go for it. Priory offers a strong support network, especially for newly qualified staff. If you’re passionate about mental health nursing and want to work in a setting where you can make a real difference while continuing to learn and grow, Priory is a great place to start.

Take full advantage of the training and development opportunities, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek support – there's a real culture of learning and teamwork here that makes the transition into professional practice much smoother.

Ready to take the next step in your career and explore a rewarding role in mental health? Explore our latest opportunities at jobs.priorygroup.com today.