At UHSussex, we are proud celebrate all our incredible nursing colleagues, from students and trainees, to registered nurses and nurse specialists, for all that they do.
Every day, they show immense kindness, compassion, and commitment to providing the very best care for our patients
Meet some of our nursing colleagues from a range of roles who share their journeys to becoming a nurse.
Grainne, Practice Development Nurse
Grainne is a nurse with 14 years’ experience working in vascular care, who now supports and inspires nurses at the start of their careers, in her practice development role.
“The opportunity to expand your knowledge and skill was always important and supported. After a decade as a Charge Nurse, I am currently in a practice development role in vascular. This allows me to support, teach and inspire our new nurses and continue my passion for vascular nursing.
“Vascular nursing is dynamic, exciting, and fast paced. It’s a ward where ‘learning never stops.’ We treat and support our patients through major life events, such as limb amputations, arterial bypasses, and open aneurysm surgeries, putting nurses in a position to provide holistic emotional and physical care for patients, whilst also improving and mastering complex skills and knowledge specific to our specialty. It’s an incredible ward where teamwork is at the forefront of what we do.”
Jibin, Staff Nurse
For Jibin, his interest in looking after others was sparked back in India after seeing first-hand the compassionate care provided by the nurses for one of his family members which inspired him to pursue a care profession.
“Since then, I have dedicated myself to continue learning and growing, supported by my mentors, colleagues and loved ones who have encouraged and challenged me in every step of the way.”
Jibin dedicated himself to his role as a healthcare assistant for nine years where he began to consider nursing as a career for him.
“I realized my career enhancement was not done. My friends who were nurses were giving such wonderful care to patients, so I thought, why can’t I.”
“As I reflect on my nursing career, my aspiration is to leave behind a legacy of compassion and empowerment. I strive to be remembered not only for the clinical skills but also for the kindness and understanding to my patients and their families. I want to leave a lasting impact on the lives I touched, fostering a culture of empathy and dignity within the health sector.”
Inge, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pain
Inge qualified as a Registered General Nurse in Denmark, followed by a degree in anaesthesiology and two years training to become a Nurse Anaesthetist.
After some time working in Germany, Inge and her family moved to England, where the role as Nurse Anaesthetist does not exist. Instead, Inge went down a new career path and has become a Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist for the inpatient pain service, supporting patients with acute and chronic pain.
Having the opportunity to be amongst the early cohorts of non-medical prescribers, Inge has seen the huge benefit to patients with this extended role. Inge frequently speaks at conferences about pain management and non-medical prescribing and has a keen interest in exploring the topic pain management both within and outside the Trust.
The next exciting step on Inge’s journey is her place on the Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Scholarship, where she is looking forward to developing her leadership skills further to benefit her team and patients.
Anastasia, Registered Nurse Associate
Anastasia began working at UHSussex as a Healthcare Assistant on a surgical assessment unit back in 2017 before joining our nursing team as a Nurse Associate.
“Working as a Healthcare Assistant really gave me an insight into nursing. I would look up to the nurses and remember thinking, that’s what I want to be doing and could see this being a career.”
After beginning her two-year foundation degree in 2021, Anastasia’s course was heavily practice based which suited her learning style best and today she is now a Registered Nurse Associate working on a vascular ward.
“Throughout my training, I was very well looked after and supported. The team were and are fantastic. Everyone works as a team; I feel like I can ask anything, and I will be very well supported and guided through if needed. I am also being very well supported and encouraged to carry on my studies which is something I am looking at doing next year.”
Maria, Registered Nurse
“My mother was diagnosed with cancer and I became her carer, to me that was a honour and a privilege, to give back what she had given me. Inspired by this, I joined the Trust as a Healthcare Assistant in 2009. I wanted to make a difference to other people’s lives, to provide excellent care and to be an advocate for when they are at their most vulnerable.
“Wanting to expand my career and knowing the Trust had an excellent aptitude for learning and career progression, I took a unique pathway of apprenticeships. In 2013, I was sponsored to do access to higher education at college, using this I progressed to the trainee nursing associate degree in 2018.
“Three years after I qualified as a Nursing Associate, to complete the puzzle, I embarked on the registered nurse degree apprenticeship in 2022, in which I achieved first class with honours. One year on after qualifying as an Registered Nurse, I am thankful to the Trust, my manager and my team for the support and encouragement that they have shown me throughout the years and who have moulded me into the best version of myself.
“Stride to make change, it’s never too late, always be the best version of yourself.”