Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 64-year-old Nigerian-born father of five has proven that age is no barrier to pursuing one's dreams, graduating as a registered nurse in the United Kingdom and securing a position at the same hospital where he began his healthcare journey as an assistant a decade ago. John Adesoye, who grew up in Nigeria and previously worked as an electronics technician in Greece before relocating to the UK in 2013, completed a registered nurse degree apprenticeship at the University of the West of England. He has now taken up a registered nursing post at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, where he first joined as a healthcare assistant in 2014.
Adesoye's transition from fixing electronic devices to caring for people was driven by a deep desire to help others. "When I was caring for electronic devices, I was happy when I could get broken devices working again," he said. "In my work in healthcare, when patients get better it gives me great joy and satisfaction". Reflecting on his achievement, Adesoye offered a message of encouragement to others: "If I can do it, others can too. People are more brilliant and stronger than they think".
Balancing his studies with work and family commitments, Adesoye spent one day each week at the university's Glenside campus in Fishponds while working the rest of the week at Southmead Hospital. During his degree apprenticeship, he gained valuable experience across several hospital departments, including cardiology, accident and emergency, and intensive care. His dedication did not go unnoticed. Jacqui Caskey and Caroline Bromwich, co-leads of the registered nurse degree apprenticeship programme, praised his commitment, noting that "being a nurse apprentice is no mean feat. They juggle this with busy lives, along with family and caring commitments".
The Chief Nursing Officer at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Professor Steve Hams, also commended Adesoye's achievement, describing his journey as "a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue your ambitions". Looking ahead, Adesoye said he hopes to continue his education by pursuing a master's degree if given the opportunity. "The moment you start in higher education, you'll see that the door will continue to open for you," he said. "It's never too late".
Adesoye's inspiring story, first reported by the BBC on July 17, 2026, has resonated widely, challenging assumptions about age and career potential. It highlights the growing importance of flexible degree apprenticeships in attracting mature talent into nursing, a route that allows experienced individuals to bring resilience, emotional intelligence, and diverse life skills to patient care. As the NHS continues to face significant workforce pressures, stories like Adesoye's serve as a timely reminder that meaningful career reinvention remains possible at any stage of life.
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