Monday was International Nurses Day, a day to celebrate our amazing nursing colleagues and all they contribute to our trust.
We asked some of our nurses a bit about their nursing careers and why they love their jobs.
Kate Campbell is Matron of the special school nursing team and children’s bladder and bowel service.
“I have worked for the trust for 30 years. I started as Health Care Assistant on Friston Ward (paediatrics) where I had a great mentor who encouraged me to complete my nursing training, with the trust’s support, and I qualified as a registered children’s nurse in 2013. While completing my training I was supported by an amazing paediatric nurse, who was such a role model to me on how to be calm and collected in an emergency and has continued to encourage me throughout my nursing career. Once qualified I returned to Friston as a registered children’s nurse, leading into working across our trust on both Kipling and Friston wards.
“A few highlights and key moments from my time are helping to support with vacations in the COVID-19 Hub alongside my regular role. I also established the Special School Nursing Team in 2022. The Special School Nursing Team operates within two special educational needs schools – Summerdown School, The Southfield Centre in Eastbourne and Grove Park in Crowborough. These schools provide education to children and young people who have severe and profound learning disabilities, complex medical needs, long-term and life-limiting health conditions and without nursing support on site would not be able to access education in a school environment. Alongside this I continue to lead the children’s bladder and bowel service.
“I always wanted to be a nurse, particularly since my nan was dual qualified as both a nurse and a midwife. I enjoy the variety of experiences that being a nurse brings and I like that no two days are ever the same.”
Lucy Pudefoot is an Enhanced Recovery Breast Specialist Nurse.
“I’ve worked within the trust for five years with three of these as a qualified nurse and coming up to two years as a breast nurse.
“My role ensures that patients going through breast surgery feel well supported and are as optimistic as possible prior to being admitted, along with the aftercare and follow up post operatively. I have built a strong rapport with patients as they visit me multiple times during their healing process, and it is a pleasure to see them progress.
“The best part of being a nurse for me is meeting and supporting a wide range of people, often when they are feeling at their most vulnerable. I’m always told it is nice to a see a smiling, familiar face when they come in for their operations. This role will always be extra special to me, as 12 years ago my mum was treated by the consultant I now work very closely with.”
Claribel Rivera is a Sister at Sussex Premier Health.
“I have worked at Sussex Premier health for 17 years, the last three of which as part of the trust. My long career in nursing started with industrial and corporate nursing before moving to a hospital specialising in sexual health and cosmetic surgery. I then moved to the UK. Moving to another country to settle and work is never easy but meeting new friends and colleagues who helped me adjust and adapt to all the changes made such a big difference.
“Sussex Premier Health specialises in elective surgery designed to care for patients undergoing and recovering from surgical procedures. We only have 21 beds, but it doesn’t mean that we lack in capacity when it comes to the services we offer. We have a variety of specialties available, including general surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology and cosmetic surgery, which makes it an ideal setting by offering endless opportunities for learning and acquiring new knowledge and skills.
“Where I grew up, your parents have a huge influence, and I admit that nursing was not my first career choice, but my parents’. Surprisingly though, the profession I thought wasn’t meant for me turned out to be my biggest calling. The act of service, compassion, empathy, the power of communication and being a patient advocate are some of the qualities I really admire and am happy to be able to give and provide as part of my role.”
Daniel Stanbrook is a charge nurse in AMU.
“I’ve been a qualified nurse since 2012 and have worked with the trust for the past three years.
“What makes nursing in this area special is the opportunity to work with a really supportive and skilled team. We look out for each other and being part of team that works so well together makes a big difference on busy days.
“I also appreciate the variety. Every day brings something new and I get to learn about a wide range of conditions and how they affect different people.
“What I love most about being a nurse is being there for people when they need it the most. Whether it’s offering reassurance, managing their care or just being a calm presence, it’s incredibly rewarding to make a difference in someone’s life during a difficult time.”