When Callum Metcalfe began training to become a nurse, he had no idea of how demanding or rewarding the job could be.
But the 24-year-old from Old Costessey has excelled since qualifying 18 months ago, and is now one of just 12 nurses shortlisted from more than 1,000 applicants in a 'rising star' category of the Nursing Times Awards.
Mr Metcalfe, a practice nurse at Attleborough Surgeries, said he was thrilled with the honour, which has followed a busy start to his career since graduating from his studies at the University of East Anglia, and then working at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for a year.
He said: 'Within that time I have gone up a grade in nursing specialism, become a diabetic specialist nurse, published five times within academic journals and I am now a editorial board member for the Journal of General Practice Nursing.
'I always planned on working in healthcare but it wasn't until I spent some time with a nursing team I realised just how varied and rewarding the profession can be.
'When I found out I had made the shortlist I was very overwhelmed and pleased that my hard work is beginning to pay off.'
Mr Metcalfe said he hoped to become an advanced nurse practitioner and establish himself as an expert in diabetes and wound care, two fields which he currently focuses on at the surgery. He said: 'I am very dedicated to my career and I am to try and become the best practitioner I can be. I'd also like to get more involved with research and publication.'
Mr Metcalfe said that although nursing sometimes received bad press, he could not imagine a more rewarding profession.
He said: 'It provides people with many opportunities to provide excellent patient care in many different ways - for those thinking about doing it, I would recommend trying to spend some time in the healthcare profession to gain a wider understanding of the role of a nurse.'
Award winners will be announced at an ceremony at London's Grosvenor House on November 2.
Mr Metcalfe said he was hoping to find a sponsor to attend the event, as tickets cost £350. Anyone who can help can email callummetcalfe19@hotmail.co.uk
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