Doing her job to the best of her ability is more than enough recognition for Sharon Duffin.
But the 52-year-old mother-of-six from Blackwood has been given an extra accolade – being named as one of the finalists in the Student Nurse of the Year: Learning Disabilities category in the 2018 Student Nursing Times Awards.
The honour comes at a time when the final year University of South Wales student, who also has six grandchildren, is about to take her first steps into the world of learning disability nursing. She will soon be starting a role as a staff nurse working for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board in Swansea with adults with learning difficulties.
Having secured the job, Sharon has achieved one major ambition. And with one of her children having been diagnosed with autism, through her work she is now aiming to raise understanding of the challenges that learning disabilities can present.
She said: “Having a child with autism gives you a different understanding of how the world is.
“I have spent years trying to initiate support and understanding from others so they can understand autism, so that people with the condition are able to live a fulfilling life that is not only safe and secure but one that is meaningful.
“I believe everyone has something to gain and offer in life, therefore I want people to see the things they can achieve rather than focusing on the disability, and remove the isolation and segregation that often comes with learning disabilities and mental health.”
Despite taking up her new role in Swansea, being a learning disability nurse was not Sharon’s first choice of career.
“Originally, I had wanted to become a social worker after being inspired by a wonderful social worker who helped me when I was in the care system as a child,” she said.
“Once I started to gain experience in care as a support worker, working with adults with learning disabilities, I realised that I wanted to stay closer to a more active role and worked towards become a learning disabilities nurse through, first an access course, and now my degree at USW.”
With such a big family, having the time to study could have been difficult for Sharon, but it’s just another challenge she has overcome
“Juggling a family, placement and studying all at once, meant I had to be very good at time management. It must have worked OK,” she said.
“There were times when everything became overwhelming and stressful, but there was a great group of people around me, who were going through exactly the same thing, and we supported each other, which really helped to keep everything in perspective.”
As for the award, Sharon isn’t one to let it go to her head.
“I feel a little overwhelmed if I’m honest,” she said. “I do this job because I believe in what I do and love what I do, so it seems a little strange to be nominated for an award for it.”