Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Meet our people: Nathan Dixon

As an organisation, we see a lot of our staff progress through the different professions and develop their careers so they can reach their potential.

Nathan Dixon started with LTHT as a Ward Housekeeper, ensuring that the wards were kept clean, tidy and free from infections. Having worked on our wards, Nathan's passion for patients led him to our apprenticeship scheme, where he trained as an Apprentice Clinical Support Worker.

After completing his apprenticeship, Nathan has been working with the Trust as a Clinical Support Worker (CSW). This year he decided to take his career to the next level and signed up with The Open University to train as a nurse.

"Working as both a CSW and a Student Nurse has given me the chance to understand what it means to care in a much more rounded way. In my opinion, the best thing about working for the Trust have been the opportunities offered to develop and fulfil my potential," said Nathan. "I'm really grateful that LTHT is putting me through my nursing degree, and providing me with the skills and knowledge required to pursue my vocation."

"Switching between the two roles has really highlighted to me what a difference there is between the professions and shown how the roles complement one another to ensure that the patient is placed at the centre of care," Nathan commented. "I really enjoy the variation in the work. As a student nurse, I get to see things from a new perspective and use my initiative to impact on different aspects of care."

Nathan's time with the Trust as a student nurse is split into six - eight week blocks, divided with study time of equal length. He spends one day a week continuing in his role as a CSW.

"I see the studying and placement as having an equal but different value in becoming a nurse. The practical side of the role, attending to the needs of patients, ensuring that they receive both physical and emotional support, and keeping relatives informed, is necessary to ensure that I can use the knowledge and skills I have picked up from the theoretical side of the nursing course," said Nathan. "They both work to support each other and to develop well-rounded nurses able to deal with every eventuality."

"Ultimately my goal is to progress through my degree and become a registered nurse. Once I have achieved this, I have my sights set on becoming an Advanced Nurse Practitioner working in A&E," Nathan added.

Outside of work, Nathan likes to spend time with family and friends, and is enjoying being an uncle to his young niece. He enjoys going on holiday, especially to Lanzarote, and is looking forward to driving Route 66 in the USA with friends next year.