Luke Ashill

About

Hello, I'm Luke.

I'm Luke Ashill, a third-year adult nursing student at the University of South Wales. I'm working towards joining the NMC register as a registered nurse in 2027.

How I got here

I didn't take a straight line into nursing. My first degree was in primary education, where I learned how people learn, and how much patience, clarity and encouragement matter. I then spent two years as a 999 Emergency Medical Dispatcher with the Welsh Ambulance Service, taking calls from people on some of the worst days of their lives. That job taught me to stay calm, ask the right questions quickly and never underestimate the reassurance of a clear, kind voice.

Both experiences led me to adult nursing. Both still shape how I practise.

Clinical experience

My placements have taken me through:

  • Respiratory care
  • Spinal surgery
  • The coronary care unit (CCU)
  • Day surgery and theatres
  • Community nursing

Alongside my studies, I've worked since January 2024 as a bank Healthcare Assistant with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board at the University Hospital of Wales. I've worked in the Coronary Care Unit, Pre-operative Assessment, ENT Outpatients and Main Outpatients. My next placement is on West 1 at University Hospital Llandough. See my full experience.

I'm particularly interested in cardiology, perioperative care and nurse education, and in how nurses can support patients and colleagues to learn.

Student voice

I believe student nurses have a real part to play in shaping the profession we're joining. I've worked with the Royal College of Nursing on a proposed UK-wide Student Placement Charter, and I'll be attending the RCN Student Ambassador Conference in London in November 2026. I enjoy gathering feedback from my cohort and turning it into practical, constructive change.

Beyond the ward

  • Taith exchange to Uganda. In January 2027 I'll travel to Mbale, Uganda, as one of six USW student nurses on a Taith-funded exchange run with the charity PONT.
  • Timetable Creator. I built Timetable Creator, a tool that turns nursing students' module timetables into one personal timetable for their field.
  • Volunteering. I've volunteered with charities including Llamau, which supports people affected by homelessness in Wales.

What I value

Person-centred care, dignity, clear communication, and being honest about what I know and what I'm still learning. These are the principles of the NMC Code, and they're the kind of nurse I'm working to become.

Get in touch

The best way to reach me is on LinkedIn. I'm always happy to connect with nurses, educators, students and anyone interested in nursing education and student voice.