Barbara Edwards

I am a lecturer in adult nursing. I have a background in cancer and palliative care, with specialist experience with lung cancer, malignant bone diseases and end of life care. Prior to that I worked as respiratory nurse specialist, providing nurse led clinics, TB contract tracing, supporting patients at home with CPAP and NIPPV and developing a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme.

I always wanted to be a nurse, despite a rocky start to my education. At age 9 my teacher told my mother I was stupid and would never make anything of myself. However, I went on to gain passes but not exceptional grades in exams at school and was accepted onto a nursing course. Since then, through some admittedly hard work at times, I have completed a BSc (hons) in Nursing here at Staffordshire University. I was the first member of my family to attend university and gain a professional qualification.

I took a break from nursing to raise a family and worked as a learning support assistant supporting children with special educational needs 1-1 in a primary school setting. During that time, I developed my teaching skills with Open University courses and progressed to providing taught sessions to classes of 8- and 9-year-olds as a higher-level teaching assistant. Having returned to nursing and working in a specialist cancer role I realised I loved my opportunities to provide education session and decide I wanted to combine my two skills. I applied to the university for a lecturer’s post and achieved something I might only dreamed of 20 years ago when I completed my degree.