Working as a nurse in Swindon is a far cry from Gayle Bourne's native Zimbabwe.

Gayle, 40, moved from Africa 18 months ago to start a new life in Swindon with her two children and a suitcase full of clothes.

And thanks to the return to practice course at Princess Margaret Hospital she has been able to use her skills once again.

Gayle explained: "I was born in Zimbabwe and I started my nursing career out there, so coming here is very different."

Increasing unrest between white landowners and the black majority in the country was one of the main factors in persuading her to leave.

"The nursing training I received in Africa was based on the British model, so transferring here was not such a problem," explained Gayle, who worked at a general hospital in Harare before taking up a post as a nurse at a fee-paying school.

"I really enjoyed taking the return to nursing course because it was like going back to school and it helped me to catch up with all the latest developments."

Gayle's ambition was always to work as a paediatric nurse, but she felt that opportunity was lost to her as she progressed in her career in general nursing.

But now Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust is sponsoring her for a place on the one-year diploma in children's nursing, which will enable her to take the sideways career step.

"It seems that there are more opportunities in nursing than there have ever been. I am so glad that I have been given a chance to do paediatric nursing. It is something I have always wanted to do."

She added: "The staff on the course have been really supportive. And as a single mother, the hospital has been really accommodating in terms of what hours I do.

"Living here has improved my quality of life and that of my children. It is safe here and there is much more freedom. The only thing I miss is the weather it really does rain here a lot."

n Princess Margaret Hospital has about 70 nursing vacancies and Swindon and Marlborough NHS trust is eager to fill these posts. For more information about the return to practice course contact Liz Jaffray on Swindon 426505.