A CARE assistant in St Austell is following her dream of becoming a nurse – via the apprenticeship route.

Vicky Taylor, 27, who has worked at Trevarna Residential and Nursing Home since last year, has already completed an assistant practitioner apprenticeship.

Now she has embarked on the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship programme and will continue to work at the Sanctuary Care home.

The scheme enables care staff with the right talent and passion to become fully-fledged nurses.

Vicky wanted to be an army combat medic but discovered her passion for the care sector after joining another Sanctuary Care home in Cornwall as a care assistant.

Vicky’s apprenticeship programme, provided in partnership with the University of Plymouth, is being funded by Sanctuary Care, which is a not-for-profit care provider.

National Apprenticeship Week 2025, which celebrates the value, benefit and opportunity of apprenticeships, marks Vicky’s seven-year anniversary in the care sector.

On successful completion of her apprenticeship, Vicky will be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and will move into a permanent role as a registered nurse.

She said: “Working in care was meant to be a stopgap, but I ended up loving it so much that I’m now completing my second apprenticeship.

“I didn’t realise it would be such an enriching career. The residents mean the world to me, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else!

“To graduate as a nurse will be a dream come true. I would encourage anyone considering an apprenticeship to do it, it’s really rewarding!”

Trevarna manager Kerry-Ann Lake said: “We are so proud of Vicky for not only completing her first apprenticeship with Sanctuary Care, but for taking on another as she pursues her nursing dream. Vicky is so passionate about supporting our residents in living fulfilled, meaningful and happy lives and will make a wonderful nurse.”