Liyana Elizabeth Danny

Why did you choose to study at the University of Birmingham?

I chose the University of Birmingham because of its strong reputation for nursing and healthcare education, and its close links with NHS Trusts across the West Midlands and beyond. As a Russell Group university with a College of Medicine and Health known for research-led teaching, Birmingham offered me the chance to study Advancing Nursing Science in an environment that values both academic rigour and real clinical relevance. I also wanted a course that would let me build on my existing nursing background from India, and Birmingham's MSc programme was clearly designed with practising nurses like me in mind.

What made you choose your course, and what interested you most about the subject?

Having worked as a nurse in both India and the UK, I've seen first-hand how much patient outcomes depend on the strength of the evidence behind nursing practice. I chose Advancing Nursing Science because it goes beyond clinical skills and focuses on the "why" behind what we do by critical appraisal, research methodology, and evidence-based decision-making. What interested me most was the opportunity to specialise in qualitative research methods and apply them to a topic I care about personally. It felt like the natural next step in my professional development.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy how the course bridges theory and practice. Rather than treating nursing science as abstract, every module ties back to real clinical decision-making. I've particularly enjoyed the dissertation process, conducting a systematic qualitative synthesis has pushed me to think rigorously about evidence, while also drawing on my own clinical experience to interpret findings in a way that's grounded and meaningful. Being able to bring my nursing identity into academic work, rather than leaving it at the door, has been one of the most rewarding parts.

How would you describe the teaching, learning environment, and support from your lecturers?

The teaching has been consistently high quality, with lecturers who are active researchers and experienced clinicians in their own right. What stands out most is the level of support- whether it's guidance on research methodology, feedback on academic writing, or simply encouragement during a demanding dissertation stage, staff have been approachable and genuinely invested in students' success. As an international student balancing study with part-time work, that support has made a real difference in helping me stay on track and produce work I'm proud of.

How has your course helped you develop the knowledge and skills you'll need for your future career?

This course has sharpened my ability to critically appraise research, synthesise evidence, and apply it directly to clinical practice skills that are essential as I wish to move into a Band 5 Registered Nurse role in the NHS. It has also deepened my understanding of patient-centred, evidence-based care, particularly around self-management support for long-term conditions. Beyond technical skills, it has strengthened my confidence in academic writing, structured reasoning, and reflective practice, all of which I now bring into my clinical work and job applications.

What are your career goals after graduation, and how has your course prepared you to achieve them?

My goal is to secure a Band 5 Registered Nurse position within the NHS and build a career that combines clinical excellence with evidence-based practice. Longer term, I'd like to contribute to service improvement and possibly further research in long-term condition management. This course has prepared me well: it's given me the research literacy to question and improve practice, not just follow it, and the confidence to see myself not only as a bedside nurse but as someone who can contribute to shaping how care is delivered. Studying at Birmingham has been a genuinely transformative step in that journey, and I'd encourage any nurse looking to grow both academically and professionally to consider it.