John Adesoye, a Nigerian native, recently achieved his goal of becoming a registered nurse in the United Kingdom at 64 years old. His story serves as a reminder that age is not a barrier to starting a new profession.
Before moving to the UK in 2013, Adesoye worked as an electronics technician in Greece. He transitioned into the medical field in 2014, taking a role as a healthcare assistant at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. While working at the hospital, he completed a nursing degree apprenticeship through the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).
His training involved rotations through intensive care, cardiology, and emergency departments. Adesoye explained that his shift from repairing electronics to nursing was driven by a genuine desire to help people. He noted that the satisfaction of seeing patients recover mirrors the joy he once felt fixing broken equipment. The nursing apprentice balanced his shifts at Southmead with weekly studies at the UWE Bristol campus in Fishponds.
Program leaders Jacqui Caskey and Caroline Bromwich commended his hard work, acknowledging the challenge of managing clinical duties alongside family life. Professor Steve Hams of the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust also shared his pride in Adesoye’s accomplishment. Now employed as a registered nurse at Southmead Hospital, Adesoye hopes his journey encourages others to pursue education later in life. He remains open to potentially pursuing a master’s degree in the future.
