An immediate calling to care
While many people spend years drifting between options before finding their path, Tendai Zengeni felt the definitive spark of his career from the very moment he walked into his first lecture. Enrolling in Child Nursing at the University of Staffordshire's Stafford campus, Tendai stepped onto the course with an immediate sense of purpose, knowing he had found exactly where he belonged.
While the ultimate destination was clear, the journey itself brought its share of personal hurdles. Fortunately, Tendai found a steadfast anchor in his university community.
"I faced some personal challenges along the way, but I received tremendous, phenomenal support from the university that assisted me to achieve my goals," Tendai recalls. "What sealed the deal for me across my training was the pure satisfaction I received when a child gets better or is discharged home. Making a positive difference in a child’s or a family's life is more than satisfying - it is an absolute privilege."
From the call centre to the chaos of A&E
Before finding his true calling in healthcare, Tendai built an arsenal of invaluable transferable skills working across call centres, retail, and busy restaurants. It was in the high-pressure environment of call centres that he mastered active listening, the ability to remain calm under immense pressure, and how to navigate challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism.
Those exact skills proved to be the perfect foundation when he walked through the doors of his favourite university placement: the Accident and Emergency department.
"From my very first placement in the department, I knew that it was an area in which I wanted to build my career," he explains. "I was drawn to the fast-paced environment, the variety of conditions, and the opportunity to care for children and young people at some of their most vulnerable moments."
His ambition quickly became a reality. Graduating in 2025, Tendai transitioned smoothly from student to frontline professional, securing his first role in acute paediatric care as an A&E Children's Nurse at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Life on the emergency front line
Today, Tendai thrives in the unpredictable, high-stakes world of emergency medicine, where every shift demands rapid assessment, clear prioritisation, and flawless teamwork alongside a wider multidisciplinary team (MDT).
"A typical day involves assessing young patients, providing acute nursing care, administering medications, and responding directly to medical emergencies," Tendai describes. "But my biggest responsibility goes beyond the clinical tasks. It’s ensuring that these children are safe, comfortable, and that their families feel supported, reassured, and advocated for during what can be an incredibly stressful and uncertain time."
Reflecting on his journey, Tendai notes that his development was shaped deeply by the tutors, practice supervisors, and assessors who left lasting footprints on his life. They taught him the clinical fundamentals, but above all, they taught him to believe in his own capabilities.
#ProudToBeStaffordshire
For Tendai, the greatest personal milestone of his university experience cannot be measured in trophies or certificates. When asked what he is most proud of achieving outside of his daily responsibilities, his answer is simple, powerful, and speaks volumes about his character: "I did not give up."
That resilience was nurtured from day one by the team at Staffordshire.
"University of Staffordshire played a pivotal role in helping me become the nurse I am today," he says. "The support I received was personalised to my individual needs, and throughout my journey, I always felt valued, encouraged, and empowered to succeed. It taught me how to believe in myself."
To those currently walking the path or considering making the leap into nursing, Tendai’s advice is to embrace the entire ride:
"Enjoy every single moment of your journey. Time passes much faster than you think. Make the most of every placement, every lecture, every challenge, and every opportunity to learn. The difficult days will help you grow, and the good days will create memories that stay with you for life. Work hard, trust the process, and embrace it."
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