A former hairdresser turned nurse is now playing a vital role in mental health care across Cardiff thanks to the flexible study model of The Open University in Wales, which is helping to fill urgent NHS workforce gaps.
Katie Bonar, 47, from Nant-y-moel, completed her BSc (Hons) Nursing degree with The Open University in 2023. She spent 17 years working as a hairdresser before joining Cardiff and Vale University Health Board as a healthcare support worker.
Her passion for dementia care led her to develop an innovative staff programme while working in a liaison psychiatry team for older people and it was at this time that her manager encouraged her to train as a nurse.
“I always wanted to be a nurse but didn’t think I was good enough, I always knew I wanted to help people,” she said. “The Open University gave me the chance to qualify without giving up my job or letting my family down. I could study during quiet evenings, apply new knowledge at work, and keep moving forward. It’s changed my life.”
Katie initially intended to study general nursing, but her experience supporting older people with complex mental health needs inspired her to pursue a specialism in mental health. The flexibility of part-time study allowed her to work, care for her family and learn at the same time – something she says would not have been possible through a traditional university route.
After qualifying, Katie was recognised with a Greatix award by the health board for her exceptional patient care. She now works as a community mental health nurse in Cardiff, supporting up to 30 patients – helping them manage medication, stay safe and recover from acute episodes. She also works in a depot clinic administering psychiatric medication and offers urgent phone support to people in crisis.
“Seeing people recover and regain their independence is what drives me,” she added. “Being that trusted person someone can talk to, especially during their most difficult times, is a privilege. That’s why I do the work I do.”
Katie’s journey reflects a wider national need. Wales is facing a growing shortage of qualified nurses, with over 2,000 registered nurse vacancies across NHS Wales. Over the past decade, nearly 10% of hospital beds have been cut, and health boards now spend more than £140 million a year on agency staff to fill workforce gaps. Research by the Royal College of Nursing shows that nearly 80% of nursing shifts in Wales are understaffed.
Despite these pressures, interest in nursing careers is rising. UCAS data shows a 13% year-on-year increase in applications to nursing courses in Wales, rising from 3,870 to 4,370 by the June deadline.
In this context, The Open University in Wales plays a vital role in building a more sustainable and resilient NHS workforce. Its flexible, part-time distance learning model enables people already working in healthcare – including healthcare support workers, carers, and returners to practice – to gain professional qualifications without stepping away from their current roles. Crucially, this model widens the talent pool, opening up nursing as a viable career path for those who may not have been able to study through traditional routes due to work, caring responsibilities or geography.
Mark Crothers, 27, a clinical research specialist nurse at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, also credits The Open University’s flexible learning model for his success in his professional career.
“My mum is a carer for my dad so I needed an option that would allow me to work around my studies.” Mark said. “With The Open University I was able to work towards my qualification in a way that worked for me. Studying during my lunch breaks and completing assignments in the evening, things I wouldn’t have been able to do if I pursued my degree with a traditional university.”
After gaining a BSc degree in Adult Nursing, Mark now manages and implements national research trials. Driven by a life-long passion for helping others, his work is now helping thousands globally. As an Open University ambassador, Mark continues to champion flexible learning to help others pursue their education on their own terms.
At a time when councils and health boards are urgently seeking to strengthen their workforces, The Open University is proving to be an essential partner. Its professional programmes in Social Work, Nursing, and Teaching are already making a measurable impact on the ground.
“Flexible learning is a key part of the solution to NHS workforce shortages,” said Michelle Matheron, Assistant Director, External Affairs at The Open University in Wales. “We’re committed to supporting healthcare workers across the country to take the next step in their careers, without needing to leave their jobs or their communities.”
“Flexible routes into the nursing profession are more important now than ever. By working closely with health boards across Wales, we’re helping to grow a skilled, sustainable nursing workforce that’s rooted in, and committed to, the communities it serves.”
