Carson Brown

Carson Brown graduated in 2023 with a BSc (Hons) Nursing - Adult. He then worked as a registered nurse in an Emergency Department (ED) and a major trauma centre. He is now training to be an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the Urgent Care Community Assessment Team. Carson is also a tutor at the University of Stirling.

A degree that prepares you for the real-world of working as a nurse

One of the biggest highlights of the course was the strong balance between academic theory and hands-on clinical practice. This helped me to develop both competence and confidence from an early stage in my training. 

I particularly valued the clinical skills and simulation sessions. These sessions provided a safe and supportive environment to practise assessment, communication, and emergency response skills before encountering them in clinical practice. Being able to rehearse high-pressure scenarios strengthened my clinical decision-making and prepared me for the realities of working in acute and emergency settings.

Wide variety of nursing placements

I completed a range of placements including acute medical wards, community settings, care of the elderly, and surgical units. Each environment developed different aspects of my practice. 

It was my acute medical and high-acuity placements that had the greatest impact. These experiences exposed me to rapid patient deterioration, complex decision-making, and multidisciplinary teamwork. I learned how to prioritise effectively, communicate under pressure, and recognise subtle signs of clinical decline. These are the skills that later proved invaluable when I moved into the Emergency Department (ED) and made the transition as a registered nurse.

My degree laid the foundation for everything that followed

The focus on evidence-based practice, accountability, and reflective learning encouraged me to continually develop and challenge myself professionally. 

When I transitioned into the Emergency Department upon registering as a nurse, I felt well-prepared for the realities of acute care  managing uncertainty, prioritising risk, and working within a wider multidisciplinary team. The academic grounding in pathophysiology and assessment became even more crucial as I progressed into my current ANP role where advanced clinical reasoning, diagnostics, and autonomous decision-making are essential. 

Importantly, the course fostered resilience and adaptability. Nursing, particularly in ED is extremely unpredictable and high-pressure. The emphasis on professionalism, ethical practice, and patient advocacy has guided me throughout challenging situations and continues to underpin my advanced practice today. 

Excellent teaching

The lecturers clinical expertise, approachability, and passion for nursing shaped my learning experience significantly. They encouraged critical thinking, reflective practice, and professional curiosity qualities that have remained central to my practice. The strong emphasis on clinical reasoning and patient-centred care has stayed with me throughout my career.

Friendships for life

Nursing is an intensive programme, and much of my time was spent balancing academic work with practice placements. However, through the course itself I built incredibly strong friendships that have lasted well beyond graduation and will last a lifetime. 

Sharing the challenges of assignments, exams, and clinical placements created a real sense of camaraderie. Those friendships became a vital support network during training and remain some of the most valuable and enduring aspects of my time at university.

My advice to anyone thinking of studying nursing at Stirling

Fully embrace every opportunity, especially your placements. Placements are where theory truly comes to life. Be proactive, ask questions, and volunteer for learning experiences even if they feel daunting. You will only get out of a placement what you put in! The confidence and competence you build during those early experiences can shape your entire career trajectory. 

Also, take time to build relationships with peers, mentors, and lecturers. Those connections become your professional network and support system long after graduation. 

Studying nursing at the University of Stirling is challenging, but it equips you with the skills, resilience, and clinical reasoning needed to grow  whether that leads you into ED, advanced practice, or any other specialist field.

My plans for the future

As a trainee Advanced Nurse Practitioner, my goal is to continue developing advanced clinical assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and independent decision-making skills within urgent care. Alongside my clinical aspirations, I am passionate about instilling motivation within my teaching role, combining practice with education to support the development of future nurses and advanced practitioners.