Meet Nick Dowling, a 60-year-old who's turned his back on decades of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and consultancy to pursue a career in nursing. With a long history of leadership roles and high-profile projects under his belt, Mr Dowling is now on the front lines of patient care – albeit as an apprentice nursing associate. This autumn, he hopes to qualify and join the ranks of registered nursing associates, bringing his unique blend of experience and enthusiasm to NHS wards.
It's a decision that was sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Mr Dowling's consultancy work online in 2020. With virtual interactions lacking the energy of face-to-face engagement, he found himself feeling disconnected – both from his clients and the community. Volunteering as a first responder for the ambulance service during this time deepened his understanding of healthcare's critical needs.
Nick's interest in nursing wasn't new even then; at 21, he worked briefly on a dementia ward in the US as a nurse's aide. While it was initially a challenging and unglamorous role – involving tasks like feeding patients and emptying bedpans – a senior nurse encouraged him to persevere. Six months later, he returned to England to pursue what he considered 'a proper job' in quality management.
Fast forward decades, and Mr Dowling's career had taken on new challenges – from leading projects like London's Crossrail and the Medupi power station in South Africa, where his focus was on improving workplace conditions for staff. The pandemic, however, brought home to him just how much he wanted to be making a direct impact on people's lives. His daughter's suggestion to explore NHS roles proved the catalyst for change; spotting an advertisement for healthcare assistants piqued his interest, and he felt drawn back to the earlier experience that had left such a lasting impression.
For Mr Dowling, the lower pay (£14 per hour) compared to his previous high-level roles is not a deterrent. What matters most is the opportunity to engage in work that feels more fulfilling – directly impacting patients' lives and contributing to the NHS's efforts. Working 12-hour shifts can be demanding, but he's found a sense of purpose he hadn't felt in years.