Coventry University graduate and leukaemia survivor becomes children’s nurse after lifelong dream
Inspired by the care he received as a child, Dan Laird has completed his nursing degree and returned to the NHS as a children’s nurse at UHCW
A childhood leukaemia survivor has achieved his dream of becoming a children’s nurse after graduating from Coventry University and stepping straight into a role at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
Dan Laird, 33, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of six and spent three years receiving intensive treatment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Now in remission, he says his experience as a young patient inspired him to give back to the NHS.
Inspired by his childhood care, Dan said he wants to give back to the NHS and help others facing similar journeys: "I don’t remember much because of the chemotherapy but my mum has told me how difficult it was.
"At first they thought it was a virus but when my symptoms worsened my parents took me to A&E where they quickly identified what was wrong and sent me to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
"A lot of what I went through was difficult but I’ve turned it into something positive - it pushed me towards the career I have today. I just want to give back the care I received.
"I hope I can be a source of reassurance for children and parents because I’ve been through it and I understand what that journey is like."
After years of working in hospitals, children’s hospices and community care, it was the Covid‑19 pandemic, and a 12‑week period of isolation due to being clinically vulnerable, that convinced Dan to begin his nursing degree at Coventry University in 2023.
Dan said: "I struggled academically. With practical assessments I excelled because of my healthcare background.
"Missing so much school during treatment left gaps in my maths and English but getting my qualifications, then my BTEC and now my degree shows how determined I am."
Dan hopes more men consider nursing, especially in paediatrics: "When I was a child, the nurse who looked after me was male and he really stood out.
"There’s such a need for more male nurses, especially for people who might feel more comfortable talking to a man."
Dan continued: "You’re never too old to go into nursing. If the drive is there, just go for it. We all bring something different because of our backgrounds.
"Ask for help, be resilient and find what keeps you grounded. Just don’t let age stop you."