Christina Gutierrez Bachelor of Nursing, Adult Branch, December 2011

Cardiac nurse, St George's Healthcare Trust, London

Hi, I'm Christina Gutierrez and I studied Bachelor of Nursing, Adult Branch within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

My placements have been excellent and I've had amazingly helpful mentors. Working in practice has enabled me to develop my skills in every sense.

I originally came to the UK from Peru to study English. It was when I started working as a health care assistant in a hospital that I realised I had a passion for working in the caring profession. It was friends who encouraged me to study nursing and apply here.  

I've had an incredible time at the University of Southampton.  Coming from abroad has had its challenges but my colleagues and tutors have been very supportive and really nice. 

I start work in January on a cardiac surgical ward at St George's Healthcare Trust in London which I'm really happy about as it's where I want to specialise.   I'm planning to continue my studies in that area too.