A MAYBOLE teen who survived a cancer ordeal has vowed to become a children’s nurse after her own experience of care inspired her.

Eighteen-year-old Katie Watson was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia when she was just 14-years-old.

In 2019, after two years of oral chemotherapy, she underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Katie received the majority of her care and her transplant at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

And whilst there, she had her mind made up that she would follow in the footsteps of those heroes who cared for her throughout her stay.

The teenager said: “I had wanted to be a nurse before my treatment, but going through that experience made my mind up. The whole team were amazing, quite inspiring.

“Once the nurses knew that’s what I wanted to be, they would talk me through and explain what they were doing. They would for example show me how to take my own blood pressure; they fed me with knowledge.

“I also think, being through what I have such as my transplant, will help to make me a good nurse. I know how the person in that bed feels, so when my time comes to nurse, I will have that insight.”

Katie has since made further progress towards her goal of becoming a nurse.

She started studying paediatric nursing at Glasgow Caledonian University and is well on her way to achieving her aim.

She is living in Glasgow whilst she studies and says she is enjoying her time staying in the city.

She said: “I’ve always been quite independent and enjoy being out and about in Glasgow. The course is going great and I’m looking forward to starting placements soon.

“I’m really excited about learning more about being a paediatric nurse and being able to give something back. I want to make children feel better – just like they did for me.”

Katie was also treated in a number of wards at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital when going through her treatment.

Senior charge nurse Emma Somerville says the team are delighted to hear how well Katie is doing.

She added: “Katie always had a very positive attitude and this had a positive effect on other young people in the ward.

“She took every day as it came, and I think that really helped get her through her treatment.

“We are so proud her experience inspired her to become a children’s nurse. It’s a real boost for us and we are delighted for her that this is coming true.

“This type of feedback from patients makes all the hard work worthwhile.”