A former tradesman has followed in the footsteps of his wife who encouraged him to pack up the toolbox and pursue his passion for nursing.
Graham Gibson, from Rathfriland, is graduating today with a degree in Adult Nursing from Queen’s University Belfast.
Growing up in a small rural community, and having worked previously as both a tradesman and nightclub doorman, Graham didn’t think being a nurse would ever be a possibility for him.
He reflects: “As a young male, going into healthcare wasn’t something anyone ever really spoke about, and nursing wasn’t considered a traditional career for me. Even though I always had a caring side, I never felt like it was something I was allowed to aim for, so I went into trades work.”
Knowing he was destined for something different, it was his wife, Rachel, also a Nursing graduate from Queen’s, who inspired him to take the leap and pave a new career for himself.
As Graham explains: “I had always doubted myself academically, and for a long time, I didn’t think university was for someone like me with very few qualifications. But seeing my wife work incredibly hard throughout the pandemic was honestly one of the biggest inspirations in my life, and a huge part of my decision to go to Queen’s. Her dedication and compassion reminded me exactly why I’d always wanted to be a nurse. She’ll never take credit for it, but she was absolutely one of the main reasons why I finally applied.”
Graham’s mum, Joan, who lives with Multiple Sclerosis, has also always been a driving force for him. It was important for him to understand his mum’s condition better and feel prepared to care for her as things change.
He describes: “Family means everything to me and being able to give something back, especially to the person who has always looked after me, feels incredibly important. It’s one of the biggest motivators behind why I do what I do.”
When Graham decided to take the leap, he knew Queen’s was the right fit for him. And it was during his time as a student nurse that Graham discovered he had ADHD. Although the diagnosis was emotional for him, it helped to put everything into perspective and answered a lot of questions.
Graham continued: “I finally had an explanation for all those times I felt different or wondered why I had to work twice as hard as everyone else. But, instead of seeing my past struggles as failures, I was able to credit myself for self-coping and I was proud of myself. My diagnosis has also made me more aware of others who might be fighting the same silent battle and I like to think that has made me a better nurse.”
With the clarity his diagnosis brought, Graham continued to excel academically, and he went on to achieve many accolades, including runner-up in the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ‘Student of the Year’ award in 2025. He was also appointed a 2025 Student Nursing Times finalist for ‘Most Inspirational Student of the Year’, alongside his array of awards from Queen’s.
A member of the RCN UK committee and a founding student member of the Queen’s Rural Health Committee, Graham is a national advocate for student nurses and used his time at Queen’s to speak up for others.
Talking about his advocacy and support he received: “Growing up rurally and working with people with complex mental health needs made me aware of how unequal access can be. I have experienced first-hand how easily people can be overlooked and slip through the cracks. So, when I arrived at Queen’s, advocating for rural communities, mental health and students facing financial hardship, just felt natural. Queen’s gave me a platform, supported me in meetings with policymakers and encouraged me to lead initiatives.
“Without that support, I wouldn’t have been able to make the impact I did. I got opportunities I never dreamed of, but most importantly, I got the chance to ensure the voices that are usually lost in the background were finally heard.”
Graham knows that he was always destined to be a nurse, and he is proud that he didn’t let the challenges along the way steer him off path. Now living in Portadown and working in the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Regional Coronary Care Unit whilst pursuing his Masters, he is proud to be making a real difference to people’s lives.
Graham said: “Putting on my blue tunic and seeing first-hand the real-life impact that I am making every day is incredibly motivating and humbling. I have proved to myself that I have always been a nurse at heart, and I think that’s the part of the journey I’ll hold onto the most.”
