Amersham: Bucks New Uni student makes Nursing Times Awards list

Amersham resident Amy Pile, 36, has proven to herself she has what it takes to thrive at university. 

However, higher education didn’t always feel like an option for Amy.

She was bullied at school, which led her to leave before obtaining her GCSEs.

Now the third year Bucks New University adult nursing student is up for two awards at the prestigious Student Nursing Times Awards due to be held in April.

Amy praised support she has received from her university, student union and the nursing school colleague (Image: Amy Pile)

Amy said: “I don’t regret the choice I made because it’s pushed me a little bit more to do the things I want to do over the years.

“It’s made me think about bullying, and I’ve got an anti-bullying campaign out at the university that supports students with different resources.”

Amy, who has four children aged 18,13, ten and seven, is now a rep, trustee, nursing school officer and chair of the Bucks nursing society.

“It doesn’t seem like a lot, because they’re things I enjoy doing.

“I’m so passionate to advocate for others, but it’s also taught me to advocate for myself.”

When she started studying adult nursing in 2020, Amy found out she was dyslexic after a screening.

“I’ve always known growing up that there was something that wasn’t quite right.

After “35 years of struggling”, including through two degrees, she was relieved to now have the support from her university.

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“Sometimes when you struggle you feel you’re not intelligent enough, you’re not good enough and sometimes just knowing that you maybe struggle in a different way, and knowing and understanding about the disability you have makes such a difference.

“The screening the uni offers is a really positive step. Some people might not know they have dyslexia or dyscalculia.

“If it wasn’t for the support I’d probably still be struggling.”

Thanks to the support Amy hasn’t needed to repeat any assignments and she’s relieved to know “things have changed” for pupils at colleges, universities and schools.

“It’s been the best time ever. It’s something I wanted to do as a dream because I never expected myself to go to university.

“It’s been a challenge but I’ve enjoyed every minute. I was thinking taking some time off because my dad was diagnosed with cancer during my second year, but he was the one who told me to keep going.

“If it wasn’t for the support from the nursing team and the student union I might not be back.

While she was proud of making the awards shortlist, she wanted to draw attention to those working in the NHS after the difficult pandemic time.

“Every individual out there working in health care and doing wonderful things needs to be recognised,” she added.