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Scarborough nurse who returned early during COVID-19 hopes to inspire future NHS workers
Sophie Pickard at CU Scarborough
Campus news
Wednesday 14 January 2026
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A Scarborough nurse who cut short her maternity leave to help patients during the COVID-19 pandemic is now teaching the next generation of NHS workers at CU Scarborough.
Sophie Pickard began her healthcare career as a mobile carer, earning NVQs before joining Scarborough Hospital as an adult apprentice. She progressed to healthcare assistant and clinical support worker, working in the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
After nearly a decade in healthcare, CU Scarborough gave the 34-year-old the chance to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse close to home and now she is sharing her story in the hopes of inspiring others to follow in her footsteps.
I started in healthcare straight from school, then worked in A&E for years. When CU Scarborough opened, it made nursing accessible for me – I had a mortgage and couldn’t travel to York or Hull but having it on my doorstep changed everything.
Sophie Pickard, Assistant Lecturer at CU Scarborough
Since enrolling on the Nursing Associate Foundation Degree in 2018, Sophie has had a baby, graduated, completed a top-up course to qualify as a registered nurse, returned to A&E, specialised in chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRNE) nursing, and is now teaching the next generation of nurses at CU Scarborough.
Her passion for helping others drove her back to the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic, just nine months after having her son George.
It was scary and at times I questioned it but nursing is my vocation. Everything I do is to show George that anything is possible.
Being a student nurse is hard – I’ve been there. I had a baby, it was lockdown and I was working in healthcare. But with determination, clear communication and support, it’s achievable.
Here at CU Scarborough we have smaller cohorts and more one-to-one support than ever. Anything is possible with honesty and transparency.
My advice? Have compassion and don’t judge people. Everyone has a story and that’s something I always pass on. Compassion and active listening can be overlooked qualities, yet they remain essential in nursing.
To every student nurse and newly qualified nurse please don’t expect to know everything when you qualify – trust the process. You never stop learning.
Sophie Pickard
Sophie is thrilled to see her first cohort of student nurses qualify this month and go on to fill vital roles in local NHS Trusts and providers.
Nursing is hard work but it’s worth every minute and is an extremely rewarding career. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved within my career so far and I want others to know they can do it too.
The local providers are getting amazing nurses because they’re home-grown. Most of our students have worked in healthcare locally, so they know the environment and I’m very proud of that.
Nursing isn’t just a job; it becomes part of who you are. That passion carries into teaching too. I love going out to see students in practice, making sure they feel supported and confident. Seeing my students qualify and make a difference locally - that’s what it’s all about.
Sophie Pickard
CU Scarborough, which is part of Coventry University Group, gives students set times on campus so they can pursue their studies without compromising their other commitments. Students study one subject module at a time while enjoying personalised support and guidance.
Find out how to follow in Sophie’s footsteps.
