The art and science of nursing and midwifery never fails to amaze Queen Elizabeth Hospital chief nurse Emma Hardwick.

She trained at a traditional nursing school at Addenbrookes and qualified as a nurse in 1986, and then as a midwife in 1994.

Emma, who lives in Grimston, said: 'I was interested in science and had worked with children with special needs and wanted to enter a caring profession.

'The art and science of nursing and midwifery never ceases to amaze me, I have been in the privileged position being with people and families at the beginning and end of life and at many important intervals between these and been able to make a difference for those I care for and work with.

'I have had a varied and amazing career with every day bringing something different, it's wonderful.'

Emma said she had seen a number of changes in nursing over the last 30 years.

'The scope of medicine and science grows each year,' she said. 'The change to a graduate level profession has opened the door for greater professional autonomy and enables nurses and midwives to lead responsive caring teams delivering safe effective care.'

She said one of the difficult parts of nursing currently was recruitment, both locally and nationally.

She said: 'But we are being innovative in working with education providers to help support different routes into nursing and supporting different roles to ensure we have the right workforce to care for our patients today and in the future.'

She added: 'I am having an amazing career and being able to help people often when they are at their most vulnerable is humbling and going home knowing you have made a difference to someone is incredibly special.'