Harry Cross, Registered Nurse Associate, Sherbourne PICU, Caludon Centre

After being medically discharged from the army after four and a half years as an infantry soldier in the Queen’s Guard, Harry wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next.

He joined the Prince’s Trust Employability Programme at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust (CWPT) after a family friend happened to mention it. As a part of the programme, he completed work experience on an inpatient mental health ward at St Michael’s Hospital, in Warwick. He loved the experience, and this started him on his path towards becoming a registered nursing associate.

Following the programme, he joined the Trust as a healthcare assistant on Sherbourne Ward, a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unity (PICU), at the Caludon Centre in June 2019. He was supported to complete his Care Certificate, a healthcare assistant apprenticeship, and the registered nurse associate apprenticeship. With the support of the Trust, Harry now has ambitions to continue his development through an apprenticeship to become a registered mental health nurse, which he will start later this year.

Harry says that his army background has helped him in his journey towards being a nurse. “If something is happening on the wards that is quite stressful, I feel that I can work effectively, because I was dealing with that in the army.” He also likes the comradery of the team and says decisions are always made together, and everyone is supportive.

For Harry, the best bit is seeing how he can help people. Working on a psychiatric intensive care unit, he is a part of a team that supports people right at the beginning of their admission, when they are experiencing a mental health crisis.

“When people come to us, they are generally very unwell and to be able to make them better and watch that transition of how they were then, and how they are now gives me a sense of satisfaction. I have really changed that person’s life, which is what I like most about the job.”

Harry is excited to continue his development journey and says that CWPT is always supportive.

“I have not stopped developing since I started at CWPT. If you want to do something, the Trust will support you. If you want to progress it is there for you, and you’ve just got to go for it.”