From the Army to healthcare, Continence Nurse, Rebecca Firth’s journey is one of resilience, transformation, and a commitment to making a difference – proving it’s never too late to find your true calling.
My career path has been anything but conventional. It all started when I was 13 years old, working in a pub washing dishes. By the time I left at 17, I was a head waitress, but life had other plans.
I accompanied a friend to the Army careers office, only to walk out with an enlistment form in hand. That decision led me to become a Postal and Courier Soldier in the Royal Engineers, serving in Gibraltar and the Falklands and forming friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
After leaving the Army to start a family, I pursued qualifications to become a teaching assistant, working in my children’s school for several years. But then, at 40, I wanted to do something different for the last 17 years of my working life and nursing called to me.
With the support of my family, I completed a Nursing Degree at the University of Nottingham, earning a First-Class Honours and completing a Master’s in Advanced Nursing three years later.
I landed my first job as a community nurse in Melton Mowbray, slowly transitioning into continence care, an area not many nurses actively seek out, but one I found truly rewarding. A chance conversation at a conference led me to apply for my current role at CityCare, and here I am today!
What I Do Now: Bladder and Bowel Specialist Nurse
I work with non-housebound adults experiencing bladder and bowel issues. Patients can self-refer to our service, and we also run a prescription service for catheters and other essential supplies.
It’s surprising how small changes can make a huge difference, even adjusting drinking habits. Did you know there’s caffeine in hot chocolate and green tea? Or that pelvic floor exercises aren’t just for women, men can benefit from doing them too.
And don’t get me started on menopause, a topic not discussed enough. Vaginal moisturisers can be life-changing, and yet many people don’t realise they’re available.
Every day is different. I travel between three clinic locations: Clifton, Sherwood Rise, and Bulwell, and dedicate time to prescribing and triage work.
Every day, I strive to make a difference, whether it’s a small lifestyle tweak or supporting someone through a life-changing diagnosis. Nursing may not have been my first career, but it’s certainly the one that feels like home.
One of my most memorable experiences was during my nursing degree, when I worked on a service improvement project, the Red Jug Revolution, a hydration initiative that gained national attention.
We presented at Cambridge University, won an award, received a letter from our MP, and even wrote an article that was published in the Nursing Standard. To top it off, we were nominated for a Nursing Standard award, which had a ceremony as grand as the Oscars. It was an amazing experience that reinforced the importance of patient-centred care.
Advice for Aspiring Nurses
Waiting for the "perfect moment" to start your nursing journey? It won’t come. There will always be reasons to delay, whether it’s family, finances, or other commitments. If it’s something you truly want, go for it. Everything else will fall into place, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first.
Date published: 25 April 2025
