Five years ago Stacey Wilson fulfilled a childhood ambition to become a nurse when she qualified upon graduating from the University of Cumbria.

Her career to date includes two years working in the accident and emergency department at the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, and a further two on a surgical ward.

Six months ago Stacey secured promotion and she is now one of two sepsis nurse specialists who oversee the care and treatment of more than 3,000 patients per month at north Cumbria’s two main hospitals.

Such specialists focus on the screening and treatment of sepsis patients and provide education and training for staff as part of wider efforts to reduce the risk of the potentially lethal illness

With a varied career, Stacey, who embarked on higher education at the age of 26, is returning to the university’s Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle to meet current students.

Today, she will be talking about recognising sepsis and patient care. Stacey is visiting as part of North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust’s sepsis awareness month.

The University of Cumbria offers nursing degrees approved by Nursing and Midwifery Council and all students are in work or further study six months after graduation.

Stacey, 34, of Carlisle, has been widely praised for her work and said: “I always wanted to be Duffy off BBC’s Casualty. My mum bought me a nurse’s outfit and a toy medical kit when I was small and it was my dream right there.

“I started as a healthcare assistant at the Cumberland Infirmary when I was 21 and my colleagues encouraged me to sign up for university. I had GCSEs from school, gone back to college to get better grades and had run a business with my mum before that.”

She added: “I worked full time and did my diploma of higher education in nursing studies at the same time. It was tough but so worth it.

“I got my first nursing job in the June when I finished the course and graduated in the November, that was in 2013.

“I’ve never looked back.

“It is a privilege to be able to serve the people and community I know in north Cumbria and that has been possible because of the University of Cumbria.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the university. Everyone was so wonderfully supportive and would help in whatever way they could and that is why I’m happy to be going back to help today’s students.”