Salford Adult Nursing student shares the unconventional path to her degree

After already establishing a career as a Mass Communication lecturer in her home country of Nigeria, she undertook a radical career change following the premature birth of her daughter. “In 2016, I came to the UK to do my PhD in Media Studies – just two years into that programme, I had a very pre-term baby that came at 24 weeks”, Oluchi said.

“Seeing the excellent care she received at the neo-natal unit of Royal Preston Hospital, I began to question my career pathway. Yes, I have a background in communication, but rather than just telling other people’s stories I realised that I want to be a part of the stories that my patients will tell in the future – in fact, I found my true calling and purpose in nursing.”

Being an international student herself and befriending many other international students during her time at the University of Salford, Oluchi recognised there were lots of challenges these students were facing. Whether it was trouble understanding lecturer’s accents, the education system itself or adapting to different teaching styles, Oluchi noticed an issue and set out to do what she could to solve it.

“Back home I was a lecturer, I completely understand where they are coming from. The teaching style in Nigeria is completely different from the UK. I saw the need to bridge the gap, so I quickly formed study groups, after class each day we retired to the library.

“I gave up my time to help them navigate the system, signpost them to where they would get what they needed, and that led to the founding of SWAB.”

SWAB (Student-led Wellbeing and Academic Buddying), is an initiative set up by Oluchi and her personal tutor Chidinma Victory Oforji, which aims to help students struggling with stress, isolation and academic challenges. It also aims to help international students to integrate into the United Kingdom’s education system and foster connections, mentorship and a sense of belonging. Oluchi also mentors her junior colleagues at the university.

“The impact was huge – their academic results improved drastically. When a lecturer comes to you to give you advice, you just take it, but when a fellow student comes to you and says, ‘Look at what I did, these are the things that worked for me’, people are more likely to believe it, because they have been in the same shoes you are wearing. Today, SWAB has been embedded into the nursing curriculum of our university.”

Though she is only starting out in her career, Oluchi has already received a number of accolades for her work, including being awarded ‘Health Support Worker of the Year’ from the prestigious Black Healthcare Awards, and being shortlisted for both the ‘Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion’ and ‘Student Nurse of the Year: Adult’ at the 2025 Student Nursing Times Awards.

“The feeling is surreal”, Oluchi said, speaking of her achievements being recognised, “the feeling was so fantastic, but at the same time, humbling. The irony, or the blessing in it was, the same day I got an email that I had been shortlisted for two categories, was the same day my daughter was on life support at Preston Hospital.

“Even in the midst of my tears, even in the midst of my troubles, you’ve given me a new hope, you’ve given me a reason to be joyful again. Even though I didn’t win the award, I was so proud of myself, and so grateful.

“For me, these recognitions are bigger than my name, they represent every student out there who might be doubting in themselves, and especially international students, who are also mature students.”

Earlier this year, Oluchi went to Finland for her international placement where her clinical excellence was seen in evaluations from her Finnish assessors. While in Finland, Oluchi was able to produce patient education advice leaflets on Respiratory Care for the Lahti Healthcare centre. And in September, Oluchi and a group of other students represented the University of Salford in Finland during the Antimicrobial Resistance Stewardship projects.

Oluchi's excellent achievements have covered both classrooms and clinical areas, and in spring this year, the Clinical Educators at Bolton NHS Trust recognised Oluchi with an award for excellent care delivery. Later this year, a group of Dutch nursing students will be visiting Manchester, and she has been selected to be one of their speakers, following the success of her help during the same trip last year.

Ahead of her graduation in summer next year, Oluchi was able to secure a role on the respiratory ward at the Bolton NHS Trust. She attributes support from her husband, personal tutor, clinical mentors, lecturers and friends as a big help towards achieving her set goals.

“With good lecturers, a very good network around you and if you work hard and pray to God, I believe that every effort will be noticed and will be rewarded.

“I knew that I had made the right choice with choosing the University of Salford. This university gave me opportunities to lead, to publish, to impact, to teach, and to represent the university across the globe.

“Salford didn’t just train me to be a nurse, but it helped me to discover the kind of nurse I am meant to be. I can confidently say – and scream it – I will remain unstoppable.”