UHDB marks International Nurses Day 2023: 'Why I Became a Nurse'
Friday 12 May 2023 marks International Nurses Day - a day of celebration observed worldwide to honour the vital contribution of nurses in delivering care to patients and communities.
UHDB is delighted to say thank you to all of our fantastic nurses at UHDB on this special day - as well as nurses working across our NHS, and all over the world - for their invaluable role in providing care and treatment to those who need it.
To celebrate, we've spoken to three UHDB nurses about their roles here, focusing on 'Why I Became a Nurse'.
As well as this, teams across all of our hospital sites are marking the occasion with staff displays, events, decorations, and information for colleagues, patients and visitors alike. We are delighted to see so many teams take part - so please head over to our Twitter account @UHDBTrust this afternoon as we start to reshare some of the celebrations taking place across our Trust, such as the Queen's Hospital Burton Breast Care Team (pictured).
'Why I Became a Nurse' - Richard, Nadine and Nessa
Nessa Memmott
Staff N urse, Medical Outpatients, Royal Derby Hospital
Ernessa, known as Nessa to her friends and colleagues, began training as a nurse in 1972, before being fully qualified in 1977. To celebrate today's special day, we were delighted to see Nessa attend work today dressed in her original nursing uniform from the day she qualified as a nurse.
Nessa said that she was admitted to hospital at age 7, and the care, compassion and kindness she witnessed inspired her to follow their path, doing for others what they did for her.
Nessa says that she "just loves to make a difference" to the lives of patients, and that "even if they can't always have a good experience, we make it as stress-free, comfortable, and positive as we possibly can".
Nessa has worked in both Burton and Lichfield as well as her training in London, before moving to Royal Derby Hospital, long before the Burton and Lichfield hospital sites became part of our Trust family. She said that working at A&E in what is now Queen's Hospital Burton, previously Burton General Hospital, was her "favourite ever job".
Nessa added that "providing the best possible care is essential - but kindness and heart is what makes a truly good nurse", and on International Nurses Day 2023, she said to her nursing colleagues across at UHDB, in the NHS, and across the world:
"Keep up the good work! Many of us have seen a lot of changes over the years, and more recently, faced challenges due to the Covid-19, but our motivation has never changed - to care for others."
Nadine Watson
Emergency Nurse Practitioner, QHB Emergency Department, and Professional Nurse Advocate Project Lead within Professional Standards
Nadine started her nurse training in 2006, becoming fully qualified in 2009, a career change from her previous role as a Quality Manager in a local distillery and brewery. Upon reaching 29 years old, Nadine felt that she 'could not see herself doing that role for the rest of her life' and that deep down, she 'always wanted to be a nurse. Soon after, she left her job and began her training.
Nadine loves how every day, she learns something new - and how she works with different people from different backgrounds, and with different skills. She feels that her team like a family, and that they all 'come together to support each other' every day. However - she values her role especially when she knows she's made a difference to a patient, saying "even them saying a simple 'thank you' makes my day". 
Nadine's role as PNA Project Lead involves her recruiting a large number of new nurses to sign up to the PNA role training - with the goal of recruiting one in every 10 nurses, in our organisation which has over 4000 nurses, across all backgrounds and all bands.
On this special day, Nadine said to her fellow nursing colleagues: "Respect everyone you work with. No one is more important than anyone else - it takes a whole team to care for each patient. Make sure you support each other, reach out if you are struggling - you are never alone."
Richard Young
Day Case Unit, Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital
Richard said he became a nurse because after he reached the role of Level 3 Healthcare Assistant at Ward 10 at Queen's Hospital Burton, he was inspired by the nurses working in that department who claimed he would make a great nurse.
He said there is "always things to learn" as a nurse, and that "development is so important at all levels - there is so much you can do at UHDB".
Richard manages a team in the SRP Day Case Unit - outstanding and dedicated staff who provide care for patients for a range of day case surgeries, such as endoscopy procedures, rheumatology infusions and injections, as well as ambulatory gynaecological procedures.
Richard wanted to thank all of his nursing colleagues today on International Nurses Day, saying:
"If it wasn't for the UHDB nurses who encouraged me to get into this profession, and the ongoing support they provide to me, I would not be where I am today".