Monique McCallam
Nursing BSc (Hons) & Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Health Visiting)
The care Monique received when she gave birth to her first son inspired her to become a nurse. She鈥檚 now a passionate healthcare professional, educator, and community leader whose journey began as a young mother determined to create a better future. Since graduating from BCU, she has built a multifaceted career in nursing, teaching, and youth empowerment, inspiring others through her resilience and dedication.
鈥淚鈥檝e always known I wanted to go to university, and education has always been important to me. After leaving school, I passed all my GCSEs and began studying Health and Social Care. However, at 19, my life changed when I became pregnant with my first son. Becoming a mother gave me a new sense of purpose; I wanted to create a better life for both of us, to show my son that no dream is too big and that every setback can lead to an even better outcome.
During my pregnancy, I spent a lot of time in the hospital and became fascinated by the nursing profession. Watching the nurses care with such compassion and skill truly inspired me, and that鈥檚 when I knew I wanted to become a nurse. After my son was born, I worked for a year doing agency admin jobs just to make ends meet, but nursing never left my mind. I used to tell my colleagues all the time, that one day I would go to university.
Eventually, I took the plunge and applied through UCAS. I missed the deadline by just one day, but I wasn鈥檛 giving up. I drove straight to the BCU campus and, with tears in my eyes, I pleaded for someone to look at my application. The very next day, I received a call inviting me to an interview. I鈥檒l never forget the moment I was told I鈥檇 been accepted. It felt like everything was finally falling into place.
As a young, single mother, I faced many challenges, from balancing childcare and finances to managing self-doubt. There were times when it felt impossible, but I reminded myself constantly of why I was doing it. My son was, and still is, my biggest motivation. Every lecture I attended and every placement I completed was for him. I wanted to show him that no matter what life throws at you, perseverance pays off.
My experience at BCU was truly life-changing; It was exciting, challenging, and deeply rewarding. The lecturers were so supportive and genuinely cared about our success. The university had such a nurturing, community feel; it wasn鈥檛 just a place to study, it was a place to grow.
Balancing university life with motherhood wasn鈥檛 easy, but my son was my motivation on the difficult days. I loved placements, being hands-on and learning from experienced nurses gave me the confidence and skills I needed to succeed. BCU gave me not just an education, but also the belief that I was capable of anything I put my mind to.
Placements were one of the highlights of my time at BCU. I gained experience across a variety of hospital wards and community settings, learning vital clinical and communication skills that I still use today. Every placement taught me something new about patient care, teamwork, and resilience, and helped shape me into the professional I am today.
Since graduating from BCU, my journey has been both fulfilling and transformative. I began my career as a Community Staff Nurse, where I developed essential clinical and communication skills and learned the importance of holistic, person-centred care. After two years, I progressed into my dream role as a Health Visitor, a position I鈥檝e proudly held for over a decade.
I currently wear a few different hats, all centred around my passion for health, education, and empowering others. For over 10 years, I鈥檝e worked as a Health Visitor, supporting families, children, and young people within the community, a role that continues to bring me immense purpose and joy.
Before that, I worked for two years as a Community Staff Nurse, which gave me a strong foundation in community nursing and patient-centred care.
My passion for education then led me into teaching. For the past two years, I鈥檝e also been working as a T-Level Health teacher at Aston University Engineering Academy, shaping and inspiring future healthcare professionals. In addition, I am the founder of my own Community Interest Company (CIC), MQUE Academy, which focuses on empowering and supporting young girls through mentoring, wellbeing, and education programmes. I鈥檝e also had the privilege of returning to BCU as a visiting lecturer, supporting pre-registration nursing students with their clinical skills. It鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to come full circle, to give back to the same university that helped shape my career.
Every step of my journey has been guided by tenacity, resilience, and drive. Nursing opened the door, but it鈥檚 my love for helping others, teaching, and community work that has truly defined my purpose.
My course at BCU was the foundation for everything I do today. It equipped me with the clinical knowledge, communication skills, and confidence to thrive in healthcare. The emphasis on compassion, evidence-based practice, and holistic care still influences my work as both a Health Visitor and educator. BCU didn鈥檛 just prepare me for a career, it prepared me for life. It taught me how to adapt, how to lead, and how to believe in myself. Those lessons continue to guide me as I support families, teach students, and run my own community projects.
Alongside being a proud mother of three beautiful children, my days are filled with purpose and variety. One day, I might be out in the community visiting families, offering support, and promoting children鈥檚 health and wellbeing. Next, I could be in the classroom teaching my T-Level Health students about anatomy, care principles, or clinical practice.
When I鈥檓 not doing that, I鈥檓 developing youth projects through my CIC, running workshops, mentoring young people, and planning new initiatives to help them thrive. It鈥檚 a busy life, but every part of it is deeply connected by my passion for helping others grow, achieve, and believe in themselves.
The biggest challenge has been learning to balance everything: being a mother of three, a professional, and a role model, all without losing myself in the process. There were times when it felt overwhelming, but I refused to give up. I鈥檝e relied on my tenacity, resilience, and drive to keep moving forward, even when things were difficult. Over time, I鈥檝e learned the importance of self-care, asking for help, and staying connected to my 鈥榳hy鈥�. My journey has taught me that success doesn鈥檛 come without sacrifice, but with determination, faith, and the right support network, anything is possible.
My proudest achievement is being able to inspire others, especially young mothers and students, to really believe in themselves and never give up on their dreams. Seeing how far I鈥檝e come, from a 19-year-old single mother with a dream, to now be a qualified nurse, educator, and community leader, fills me with pride and gratitude.
Every time a student or young person tells me that my story has motivated them to keep going, it reminds me that my journey has purpose. That, to me, is success.
In the long term, I want to continue growing as both an educator and a healthcare professional. I plan to expand my CIC nationally, reaching and empowering more young people across the UK. I鈥檓 also passionate about furthering my academic development, possibly through a master鈥檚 or leadership qualification, to strengthen my impact in health education and community development.
Most importantly, I want to continue being a voice of encouragement to others who face challenges, proving that with hard work, faith, and self-belief, you can turn any obstacle into an opportunity.
My advice to anyone considering studying my course at BCU is to go for it even if you鈥檙e scared! Studying at BCU was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e ever made, and I鈥檝e been back twice because of the amazing experience I had there. BCU doesn鈥檛 just give you a qualification; it gives you confidence, community, and a real sense of purpose. The lecturers are incredibly supportive, and the environment is both nurturing and inspiring. No matter your background or challenges, there鈥檚 a place for you at BCU, and that experience will shape you for life.
To fellow BCU graduates starting their careers, be patient with yourself. Success doesn鈥檛 happen overnight, but every step forward counts. Take opportunities, even when they scare you; that鈥檚 where the growth happens. And remember your 'why鈥�. Your passion will carry you through the tough days and remind you why you started in the first place.
To me, 鈥業 AM BCU鈥� means resilience, empowerment, and transformation. It鈥檚 about believing in yourself, embracing your journey, and never giving up, no matter the obstacles. BCU gave me the chance to change my life, and now I鈥檓 proud to use that same strength and determination to help others do the same.鈥�