Broomgrove has had the privilege of encouraging hundreds of people to follow a career in nursing. Recently we were thrilled to find out about the military career of Shaun Garratty. He actually started at Broomgrove as a domestic but was provided with the support and training to pursue an amazing future.
He said: “In 1989 I found myself unemployed following a failed business venture and sought employment via the job centre in Sheffield. At the time there was very limited vacancies, however, I was offered an interview for a domestic post by Broomgrove’s then matron/ manager Ms Sheila Smith. I accepted the post and quickly established a good working rapport with my colleagues. A few months later, I was asked if I would like to work as a carer. The matron offered me support and training for the role. I became a health care assistant and found that I got a great deal of satisfaction from the work. A registered nurse colleague suggested that I would make a good nurse! I then went to night school every Tuesday for a year on a pre-nursing course and was accepted to commence my nurse training at the Sheffield and North Trentham College of Nursing and Midwifery. I left Broomgrove to embark on my new vocation. I joined the Territorial Army after meeting a nurse that was in the ‘TA’. When I qualified as a registered nurse, receiving a diploma from Sheffield Hallam University, I worked in the NHS and part-time with the Army. I then went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and – after my officer training – passed out as a nursing officer! Eventually achieving the rank of captain. I have now been a qualified nurse for 26 years and spent 17 years in the TA as a nursing officer. All this happened because if the opportunities I was given at Broomgrove! Not bad for a lad from the back-to-back slum houses of the Park, Sheffield ! Thank you Broomgrove! Shaun Garratty Capt RN (A) Dip V”
We’re so thrilled to play a part in Shaun’s amazing story!
