From novels to nursing: a change of course and career

Hailing from the nearby town of Kirriemuir, alumna Robyn Oliphant first came to the University of Dundee in 2013 to study English Literature.

A change of direction

Robyn loved English in high school and had dreamt of becoming an English teacher, planning to complete a teaching qualification after her undergraduate degree. However, halfway through her MA, she began questioning her direction. 

Robyn saw out her third year and qualified with a Diploma in Higher Education instead of going on to honours. She spent the next nine months working in hospitality, before she stumbled upon an opportunity to work as a carer at the nearby Balhousie Care Groups’ Lisden Care Home. Six months later, as the summer arrived, Robyn had fully committed to this new route and was encouraged by her colleagues to pursue a nursing qualification.

Benefits of staying local

With September looming large, Robyn applied to the University of Dundee through clearing and was accepted right away! Living so close to Dundee made higher education possible. Robyn was able to stay at home, continue working, and save money by commuting to class. 

Robyn's nursing placements were in places she already knew well, such as Stracathro Hospital, Whitehills Health and Community Care Centre, Perth Royal Infirmary, and Ninewells. The familiarity of each let Robyn focus fully on her learning without the worry of a new commute. She was therefore able to complete placements in district nursing, a community hospital, home visits and more.

After graduation

After graduating in 2020, Robyn started working at Stracathro Hospital, but by November the ward had closed as the pandemic took hold. The circumstances at the time made working in a hospital very different from the training Robyn had received during her undergraduate degree; nursing had become very clinical and focused primarily on infection control. Missing the human element of working in a care home, Robyn took on agency shifts across local care homes before returning to Lisden as Clinical Lead. 

She loved building relationships with the residents and providing their ongoing care. Knowing that she makes a genuine difference to their day continues to give her joy and Robyn was delighted to be reunited with some of the residents she met when she first started back in 2017. Her new role gave her a totally different perspective. 

She was able to build on and improve the team and service at Lisden Care Home, utilising the skills, experience, and creativity she had gained from her studies at the University of Dundee. Robyn soon went on to visit other care homes across the area, providing advice and support to colleagues on improving standards and service. 

Nurse of the Year Awards

In 2024, Robyn was nominated in the Royal College of Nursing Scotland Nurse of the Year Awards for the Care Home Nursing Award, which recognises the impact and importance of nursing in social care and those who have made an outstanding contribution to care and quality of life for residents in a care home. The winner was announced by meteorologist Sean Batty at a ceremony in Edinburgh’s National Gallery, after those shortlisted went through a series of interviews with the winner's selection panel. She couldn’t quite believe it, but Robyn walked away with the accolade and the title of Scotland's Care Home Nurse of the Year for 2024! 

A spokesperson for the Royal College of Nursing said: “Robyn's commitment to person-centred care is evident in her empathetic approach and focus on creating a positive environment for residents. She not only excels in clinical care but also demonstrates strong leadership qualities, collaborating with the Balhousie Care Group Operations Team to enhance services and promote staff development. 

Although it took her a while to get there, Robyn is so thankful for the route she took into nursing. Whilst it wasn’t without its challenges, she has found her perfect role. 

What's next for Robyn?

Robyn loves working directly with patients, so rather than progressing to management, she has decided to return to the University of Dundee for a third time - to pick up her master's degree in advanced practice. Developed in collaboration with expert clinical practitioners, this course is suitable for registered nurses, as well as health and social care professionals who are working in or towards an advanced practice role. 

When she graduates, Robyn will be able to assess, diagnose, and manage complex clinical cases, in a safe and effective evidence-based and person-centred way. 

Robyn's ‘reason’ is the patients she works with every day, and she is glad that remains her sole focus in day-to-day work. Her story shows that it is never too late to change direction, and that sometimes taking the long way round leads you to exactly where you're meant to be.