Student combines degree with passion for design

Placement has inspired a GCU Mental Health Nursing student to create her own business.

First year Taylor Leonard recently launched her Etsy page NursingWithTay, which plays host to six specially designed ‘Thank You’ cards – giving students the perfect opportunity to show their appreciation to those who have supported them outside of the the classroom.

Taylor explained: “At the end of placement in March, I was given gifts from my mentors and I’d noticed in the shops that you couldn’t get any cards that say, ‘thank you for a great placement”. It’s obviously quite a specific thing, so I realised there was a gap in the market.

“I think it’s important to show a bit of gratitude because our placement providers are supporting our academic success and giving us the opportunity to enhance our learning.

“My first placement was in addiction and my second one was working with individuals who have eating disorders; they were both specifically mental health based, which I just absolutely loved. All the staff were amazing too, which definitely made a difference and helped inspire this.”

Taylor decided to combine her degree with her love of design, tapping into skills she developed while studying Higher Art during her school days.

She said: “I’ve got a specific Instagram which focuses on my nursing and I follow student nurses who also have their own businesses. They were selling on Etsy, so I figured that was a good place to start.

“I basically use Canva and create cards with a variety of designs on them, including ones that are relevant to both hospital and community based placements.”

With second year rapidly approaching, Taylor’s excited for what’s to come – both in terms of her business and her studies.

She explained: “I’ve had quite a long summer break, which I’m really thankful for. That’s allowed me to focus on something else other than essays and exams, so it’s been the perfect time to develop my Etsy page further – and I hope to continue that over the next year.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to go into second year. I really enjoyed first year but we were mixed in with adult, child and learning disability nurses; this year our learning will be fully focused on mental health. I can’t wait!”

Visit Taylor’s Etsy page here

By Ross Clark 
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter