How a registered nurse rebuilt her confidence in maths with Realise

After leaving school, Julie dedicated her career to healthcare, becoming a registered nurse and later taking on the role of Practice Education Lead at Bradford District Care Foundation Trust. Supporting the development of others has always been part of her day-to-day, but there was one thing she had always wanted to do for herself: achieve her maths qualification.

Discovering Realise
Working closely with apprentices in the NHS, Julie became aware of Realise and saw first-hand the impact that training and development opportunities could have. While completing her General National Vocational Qualification (GNVQ), she recognised that gaining her maths qualification could open more doors for future development. "I wanted to gain my maths for any further development or apprenticeship opportunities," she shared. "Even though it's not essential in my current role, it's something I've always wanted to achieve."

Taking the leap
Starting any course can feel daunting, and this was no different. Reflecting on the first day, she admitted, "I felt anxious." But those nerves didn't last long, thanks to the warm and welcoming support from her tutor. "Katie was great and put me at ease immediately," she said.

Enjoying the journey
Far from just ticking a box, the course quickly became something she genuinely enjoyed. "I honestly enjoyed all of it," she explained. "The Skills Builder was very helpful - especially being able to access it at any time. I also benefited from the webinars that were held." The flexibility of the learning tools made it easier to fit study around her full-time job, and the support on offer was always there when needed.

A new sense of confidence
Gaining the qualification has boosted Julie's confidence and made a real difference to her personally and professionally. "I have always wanted to achieve my maths certificate," she said. "Now, when I'm working with staff who need their English or maths to progress, I can point them in the right direction and support them more confidently."

Support that made the difference
What stood out most for Julie was the support she received from her tutor. "Katie was very patient with me. Her communication was very clear, and she gave me the confidence I needed. I was embarrassed about getting things wrong, but she put me at ease and gave me constructive feedback. She was a big part of me gaining the qualification and was accessible at all times."

Recommending Realise
With her qualification now complete, she wouldn't hesitate to recommend Realise to others. "It's much more accessible and convenient than people might think, and the support is there to help you succeed," she said. "I'd definitely recommend it to friends or family."

If Julie's story has inspired you, why not see what you can do with Functional Skills Maths?