Most teenagers nervously awaiting their A Level results have got some idea of what they want to do with them – but not all.

For those who are not quite sure Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT) has organised an open day to get school leavers thinking about a career in nursing.

After studying maths, further maths, and physics at school, Robert Hounsome was dead set on a career in engineering.

But after volunteering at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, he decided to abandon his original dream and swap it for nursing instead.

Now 24 and a junior charge nurse in Queen’s cancer and clinical department, he said: “After some volunteer work at Queen’s Hospital I instantly knew I wanted to work with people.

“I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives but I didn’t want to be a doctor.

“I didn’t want to be stuck in an office and becoming a nurse was the best decision I made.

“Nursing has evolved, there is great career progression and it is a lot more than washing patients – there’s a lot more science involved now.”

To become a nurse you need five GCSEs with two A Levels or equivalent qualifications, before going on to study the subject at degree level.

After results day next week (August 17) 16 to 18-year-olds are invited to BHRUT’s nursing open day at its education centre at Queen’s Hospital between 5pm and 7pm on September 27. Mature students are also welcome.

Chief nurse Kathryn Halford will be on hand with other senior nurse and midwifery staff to answer any questions.