AN Accrington hair stylist was inspired to cut short her career to become a nurse after witnessing the compassionate care her sick father received during a hospital stay.

Rebecca Szabo, 21, was working part-time in a salon when her dad was a patient at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

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Seeing the nurses in action made her decide to follow her passion and enroll for a Pre-registration Nursing degree at the University of Central Lancashire.

The former Accrington Academy student said: “When my dad was in hospital, I saw the way the nurses looked after him and how they cared for my family. They were so patient and compassionate.

“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do when I left school, but I knew then that was what I wanted to do: to have a job where I make a real difference and one that people appreciate.”

It was during a visit to hospital that Rebecca decided to sign up for the East Lancashire NHS Trust’s Year 2 Care programme.

Andrew Keavey, the Trust’s practice education facilitator, said: “The programme gives aspiring nurses with no care experience the opportunity to get paid work on our wards for up to one year as a healthcare assistant before starting an NHS-funded nursing training course.

“As soon as we interviewed Rebecca, we knew she had the potential to become an excellent nurse.”

Although she’s left the world of curling tongues, hairdryers and colouring foils behind, Rebecca says nursing has a lot in common with hairdressing.

She added: “People skills are massively important for both jobs.

“You quickly learn about communicating with people and how to judge situations. In fact, in both jobs you act as a part-time counsellor.

“I very much enjoyed working in the salon, but nursing is my dream job and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Everyone is so supportive and, along with the other student nurses, we’re part of a great social network. Hopefully I can give back to people what the nurses who inspired me gave to my family.”