I’m a nurse with over 25 years of experience, both within the NHS and more recently in the private healthcare sector. I’m also a mother to 10-year-old twins, so life is already a full-time commitment in itself!

Why and how am I doing an MBA?

I currently work as the Deputy Chief Nursing Officer - Paediatric Services, within a private hospital. While I have a strong clinical background, I recognised that to grow and thrive in leadership, I needed to better understand the business side of healthcare. An MBA felt like the right step, not only to support me in my current role but also to open up opportunities I may not have considered before.

The Bayes Executive MBA curriculum has been wide-ranging, with modules including (but not limited to):

• Corporate Finance
• Financial Markets & Instruments
• Economics
• Business Analytics
• Strategic Leadership
• Entrepreneurship
• Negotiation Skills
• Organisational Behaviour

There are also opportunities to study abroad through international electives. My cohort travelled to Nairobi last year for our International Consultancy Week, and this year I had the incredible opportunity to visit Seoul and Silicon Valley for our international electives.

In addition, we’ve taken part in credit-bearing sessions with the Bayes Careers and Professional Development team that have been absolutely invaluable in helping us grow, reflect, and push ourselves toward fulfilling our full potential, both professionally and personally.

How am I managing it all?

The question I’m asked the most is:
“How are you doing this?”

And honestly, sometimes I ask myself the same thing. Between a full-time senior role, raising two energetic children with busy schedules, and just to add a little spice beginning a full home renovation project six months into the MBA (which involved moving out for half a year!), it has been... a lot.

Some of the questions I asked myself at the start:

1. How will this affect my children?
   I was already juggling work and home life, and I worried that adding an MBA would stretch me too thin.
2. How will this affect my job?
   I take great pride in my role and the teams I lead. I was concerned I wouldn’t have the capacity for such a challenging programme.
3. Can I really do this?
   I hadn’t studied in years — and I’d never tackled subjects like finance or analytics before.

The reality is: I haven’t done this alone.

This has been a group effort from day one. I chose the Evening Executive MBA because it required in-person attendance only two evenings a week in the first year. I already commute to London daily, so with support from family and some strategic childcare planning, it felt like the least disruptive option.

For weekend sessions and international electives, it’s a serious juggle but I’m incredibly lucky to have a support system of grandparents, uncles, aunties, and friends whom I completely trust. It works because of them.

I’m also grateful to my CEO, CNO (Chief Nursing Officer), and colleagues who have offered endless support and encouragement throughout this journey. The MBA programme team, from the professors to the admin staff , have been understanding and flexible, even allowing me to join lectures remotely when one of my children was unwell.

Most importantly, I’ve been blessed with a cohort of truly inspirational students. We’ve built a community that lifts each other up and keeps each other going. The group dynamic is rooted in shared success, we want everyone to finish strong, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Has the MBA been worth it?

Absolutely.
My kids are happy and thriving. I’m still working full-time. I’ve passed the exams and submitted countless assignments. Somehow, I’m doing it and I’m growing through it.

I couldn’t have done this without my village, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

If I can do this... YOU can too.

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Don’t miss your chance to join the Evening Executive MBA this September.
Apply now to be considered for scholarships covering up to 50% of tuition fees.