JO Thompson has been a trained nurse for 20 years.

The district nurse also practises the Bowen Technique for healing.

She says: "Since I was little I never wanted to be anything else.

"I remember my mum trying to keep my options open when we had the careers people at school, but I still headed straight for the nursing stand."

"I'm usually up and about for 7.30ish and get my two boys chivvied for school. They're eight and 10 and usually get their own breakfast."

Jo is based at The Mill Hill Centre at Dalton and works two days one week and three the next.

"We're office-based and have an area to cover. Mine includes Dalton and Aspley.

"It's mainly visiting people in their own homes, some regularly on a weekly, daily or even monthly basis.

"There are a lot of elderly people to visit and we offer palliative care, change dressings, flu jabs and other various injections, as well as pills and medicines.

"It varies a lot, but I usually cover about 10 visits in a day. If it's injections or eyedrops I'm obviously quicker, but have to devote more time to palliative care."

What Jo does notice a lot with her patients is the loneliness.

"I get to meet some wonderful characters, elderly people with nothing to prove and a wealth of experience, often in their 90s, who remember everything and are fascinating."

"For lunch I usually take my own or buy a sandwich. Once a week I swim in my lunch break, as well as using the gym on my day off. I tend to be on the go all the time."

Jo has also qualified as a Bowen Therapist, after having the treatment herself when hurting her neck at the gym and discovering after one treatment how effective it was.

"I decided I wanted to do something alternative, instead of just popping pills and drugs. I found Bowen one of the most straightforward and effective hands-on treatments.

"When I registered with Bowen I used to do home visits, but found it very hard (being a district nurse) to take money off people. So now I work from home."

"Basically, Bowen promotes healing, pain relief and recovery of energy.

"I use thumbs and fingers on precise points of the body to make rolling-type moves which aim to disturb the muscles, soft tissue and energy within the body.

"I do a few movements, then leave the patient to relax for five minutes before doing more.

"I've had some amazing results, including a lady who had to walk with a stick and after one treatment came back without it.

"It's also cured my son's hay fever.

"One man said: `I don't know how it's done, but you've got rid of my pain.'

"My first appointment is usually at 8.30am. Then I make appointment times every hour and a quarter.'

"The treatment is very effective on sports injuries - and one treatment can cure a baby's colic.

"It's great when I get good results and feedback from patients. There are no downsides. I just love what I do.

"Being a nurse gives you a different perspective on life, knowing what counts."

Jo admits to being bad at relaxing herself. "I class my exercise as relaxation. If I don't exercise I feel groggy.

"Having two boys is hectic sometimes and I'm involved with the local Beavers, helping to organise trips etc.

"But you can't beat a girls' night in with a bottle of wine."