SHE Relatable Leaders Career Insights Spotlight

The SHE Women’s Network Support Heal Empower is all about empowering, supporting and elevating our members, and inspiring future generations of female leaders. Across 2025 we will be spotlight the career journeys of some of our amazing members. Today we hear from Shahnaz Akhter.

Shahnaz - Bachelor of Nursing with Honours - Mental Health Nursing.

From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a nurse, but life had other plans. After putting my passion for midwifery on hold to focus on raising my three children, I watched them grow, thrive, and achieve their academic success. Once they graduated, I decided it was finally my turn to chase the dream I had set aside decades earlier. Returning to education later in life, I completed my studies and proudly became a - Mental Health Nurse. My journey has taught me the power of resilience, patience, and the importance of never giving up on your dreams. Today, I combine my life experiences with my professional training to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. Whether I’m supporting individuals through their mental health challenges or mentoring others to pursue their goals, I’m living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.

Introduction

Registered Mental Health Nurse. Current working role - Community Psychiatric Nurse/Care Coordinator.

As a Mental Health Nurse, I am deeply committed to supporting individuals through their mental health journeys with empathy and understanding. My path to this role was shaped by life’s twists and challenges - after prioritising my children’s education and well-being, I returned to my long-held passion for nursing later in life. Now, I bring both my professional expertise and personal resilience to my work, helping others find hope and healing.

Early Career

My journey into nursing began later in life, but my passion for compassionate care had always been a constant. After raising my three children and supporting them through their education, I finally took the first steps toward my dream of becoming a nurse. The initial challenges were significant - juggling family responsibilities, returning to education after a long gap, and overcoming self-doubt were just a few of the hurdles I faced. Despite these obstacles, I remained determined to pursue my goal, knowing that my life experiences had already equipped me with resilience and empathy - qualities that would later define my approach to nursing.

Pivotal Moments

A pivotal moment in my journey came when I faced the challenge of balancing my studies with the demands of family life. There were times when I questioned whether I could succeed, but a breakthrough came when I realised that my life experiences - raising a family, managing multiple responsibilities, and persevering through adversity - had already prepared me for this path. I learned to lean on my support network, prioritize self-care, and embrace the idea that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. This mindset shift not only helped me overcome obstacles but also deepened my commitment to mental health nursing, where I now use my own experiences to support others through their challenges.

Leadership Lessons

Throughout my journey, I’ve learned several valuable lessons that have shaped me as both a nurse and a leader. First, resilience is key - life will throw challenges your way, but it’s how you respond to them that matters. Second, empathy is a powerful tool - understanding and connecting with others on a human level can make all the difference in their care. Finally, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Whether you’re starting a new career later in life or facing a personal challenge, perseverance and self-belief can lead to incredible outcomes.

Advice for Others

For anyone considering a career in nursing or facing a similar journey later in life, my advice is simple: don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Embrace your life experiences - they are your greatest strengths. Seek out support from family, friends, or mentors, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Finally, prioritise self-care. Nursing is a demanding profession, and taking care of yourself allows you to better care for others. Your dreams are worth pursuing, no matter how long it takes to achieve them.

Closing Thought

My journey to becoming a Mental Health Nurse has been anything but straightforward, but it has been incredibly rewarding. It’s taught me that life’s detours can lead to unexpected opportunities, and that resilience and determination can help you overcome even the toughest challenges. I hope my story inspires others to chase their dreams, no matter where they are in life. After all, it’s never too late to make a difference.

A quote:

“With faith, discipline, and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve” - Muhammed Ali Jinnah