Mary Seacole and I

Inspired by Mary Seacole’s pioneering spirit, my nursing career reflects resilience, dedication, and transformative care. Since relocating to the UK from Kenya in 2019, I pursued an upgrade of my diploma to a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing while undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. This showcases continuity in my professional and personal growth.

Just as Mary utilised available platforms to enhance patient outcomes, I integrate modern tools including social media to advocate for nursing excellence and patient care. My active role in renal nursing –-through presenting at a national conference and co-authoring a chapter in a Renal Nursing Textbook—highlights my commitment to integrating diverse experiences and knowledge.

Having been awarded a Master’s Degree Scholarship, I embody Mary’s values of sympathetic presence, leadership, and mentorship adapting to individual needs and pushing boundaries. My journey honours Mary’s legacy and this legacy should not be lost again to history and needs to be passed to every generation of nurses.

My name is Michael Joel B. Apas from the Philippines! Since I was young, it has been my dream to explore the vastness of the world including learning different cultures and meeting people of different backgrounds. Even if you look at my graduation book, it states there that I wish to be a linguist. Diversity-it has been at the forefront of my interest. Hence, being in the United Kingdom to work as a nurse has been a deep honour.

As far as diversity is concerned, as I go through life, I have been labelled with different terms such as being Gay, People-pleaser, a show-off, a Panicky Guy, too sweet,  or even another package from the Philippines.

It was during the pandemic time that I arrived here in the UK. It was a hard-hitting adjustment having less social support systems and no diaspora group in the area. On top of that, I felt home sickness, and I was left struggling in a job with minimal support. Due to this, I started doubting myself-to the point in my communication skills in the English Language.

I found myself struggling to understand different jargons, finding the thick accent difficult to understand. And worse, being told that I would not survive working in the UK.

In winter 2021, days gets heavier, things get worse and worse -until I was diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety requiring therapy and medication.

When things got improved, I realised about going back to my roots as a Filipino, it will lead me back to my core and as to who I really am..

…That the labels that was associated as my weakness, is actually my STRENGTH.

Just like Mary Seacole, our differences should never hinder us to help others. Her values moulded me to break the cycle, be more compassionate and accepting, and most of all…to be strong.

In the words of Mary Seacole, our setbacks are a great leveller and our mutual suffering and endurance made us all friends.

There is a Mary Seacole budding in each and every one of us.

Our story is our core and that story needs to be told.

I was born and raised in Jamaica, trained and worked as a registered nurse and midwife, before migrating to England.

Over 29 years, I gained knowledge and expertise in various areas and of nursing.

I trained as a primary healthcare nurse and practice nurse in the NHS (PCT), worked in communities and GP surgeries, then worked in Bermuda – in the hospital and in the community.

I completed a Post Graduate Certificate in public health, at the University of Liverpool and I am currently pursuing my MSc in international healthcare management at the University of Essex.

Though centuries apart, my journey parallels with Mary Seacole’s; being a Jamaican born nurse and entrepreneur, we were exposed to the herbal medicine culture by our mothers. Like Mary, as a child I too nursed my dolls and animals back to health. Mother Seacole was a skilful herbalist and doctress, under the guidance of her mother.

We ventured far from home to England and other parts of the world, delivering patient-centred, compassionate, high-quality standard of holistic care to patients. We navigated through cultural biases and institutional barriers, with determination, to find our path in healthcare. Our journeys were faced with numerous obstacles and challenges, such as racism, prejudice, inequality, stereotypes etcetera. Despite these challenges, Mother Seacole and myself as a modern-day nurse demonstrated resilience, tenacity, determination and deep commitment to patient care.

Suad Abdullahi is a registered nurse from Somaliland and has been in healthcare industry over 20 years. She was born, studied and worked in United Arab Emirates. Nursing was not her passion when she was growing up as a child, rather she wanted to study English literatures. She still remembers her father telling her about studying nursing so that she can upscale her English language as well gain nursing profession. At that time, she did not understand what her father meant, until a few years later when she went to hospital with her mum and met a Somali nurse, who usually supports all Somali women in hospital. After that day she knew what her father wanted in future.

Suad gained her Bachelor degree in Nursing and started as RN; she joined the Maternity and Child health department and she has been selected to join the antenatal unit team as joiner nurse, team leader, and then specialised as Lactation consultant. She worked in different wards to support any mother that needed support with infant feeding. For example, she worked at postnatal unit, paediatric unit, NICU, SBCU, and run independently lactation clinic where she gave group or individual breastfeeding education to parents and also, follow up for postnatal women. Furthermore, she developed policies and educational leaflets. One of her biggest accomplishments was being part of leading members to achieve a baby friending accreditation by the WHO & Unicef early 2018. In addition, she has progressed to be an educator and delivers educational training across the hospital; moreover part of her work was auditing to sustain standards of baby friendly Initiatives.

In August 2021, she moved to the United Kingdom. Moving to the UK was a bit emotional and challenging for her. Leaving family, friends and her comfort zone was not a happy moment. She knew that whatever happens in UK, there was no way to go back, it’s only one way moving forwards and upwards. Firstly, she joined a local hospital in Birmingham in the Gynaecology unit for about 6 months and then she moved to maternity department after she successfully passes her interview as a Neonatal Infant feeding lead. The Infant feeding team at the city hospital welcomed her and supported her with all training. She joined Keele University and did her neonatal foundation course level 7. She has also attended the UK UBICEF baby friendly initiatives training course, neonatal audit training online and embedding baby friendly standards in neonatal care online. Currently she delivers neonatal baby friendly training to nursing and medical staff and is involved in updating polices.

Her passion is to study her master’s degree in a quality and specialised Neonatal Unit. In her free time she loves cooking and spending time catching up with family.

My name is Michio and I was born and raised in the Philippines and was recruited as an overseas nurse. I’ve been nursing for almost 14 years now and have vast experience in patient care from outpatient to inpatient. My journey was not an easy one, it came with hurdles and challenges and I’m proud to say that I overcome those challenges. And I’m honoured to where I am now.

I started working as nurse in 2011 in the Philippines then in 2015 I embarked on my first overseas job in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed working in the Middle East as I learned so many things from personal to professional life. It helped me to open my eyes in multi-cultural nursing and understand patient care in different aspects of culture and language.

Then I took the path in coming to the UK in year 2019. I was amazed with NHS system but at the same time I felt scared as due to the new environment and adapting to a completely different culture and language from where I worked prior to coming here. I would say it was very daunting to me when I first stepped into the ward as it was a totally different English from what I know. The slangs, accents and even sayings and phrases. Then their system is so complicated. There were so many policies and protocols I had to understand.

Apart from these workplace things, I also needed to juggle my personal life away from leaving my kids. This was the most difficult part in choosing a long term plan for my family. But through all of these challenges I was able to overcome due to hard work, perseverance and raising my profile by showing them my values, culture and professionalism. Now it’s time for me to give it back, hence I’m proud to say I’m the pastoral support for internationally educated nurses within our organisation which covers recruitment and retention.

My learnings and aspirations throughout my journey here in the UK should be told as this bridges the gap of what most of the Internationally educated nurses need to stay and thrive in this community. This breaks the bias and prejudice about our existence in NHS. My story serves as what Mary Seacole fought for – fairness and equitability of services and opportunities in providing for who needs it most.

I’m very honoured that I am part of this program and have been given a chance to share my story to everyone in all races. I’m a great believer of Mary Seacole’s work that paved a way for greater racial and gender equality in healthcare. As I will always say, we are bigger than the word ‘minority’ as our culture, heritage and values truly shape the world that we have right now and most importantly this what makes us stand out from everyone else so be proud of where we came from.

Lucy Phiri is a registered nurse-midwife working with Barts Health NHS Trust in London, England as a rotational midwife.

Lucy Phiri was born in Katete, Zambia where she trained and qualified as a registered nurse for 8 years and midwife for 3 years.

Lucy worked in a variety of clinical settings. In March 2023, Lucy migrated to London with the hope to broaden her expertise as well as share her experiences.

Lucy was successful in all her exams and the prerequisites in satisfying the Nursing and Midwifery Council and that of her employer to work as a midwife.

Lucy seized the opportunity to join the leadership program for internationally educated nurses and midwives delivered by the Florence Nightingale Foundation (FNF). Lucy was able to attain a certificate after completion of the program as she utilises each opportunity she sees.

Lucy’s interests are continuous learning, maternal health and wellbeing, quality improvement, patient safety and mental wellbeing.

And now Lucy is amongst the first ever group of a pilot study under the Mary Seacole and Me Storytelling program. With each opportunity she finds, Lucy seeks to utilise it to the fullest and not just to her benefit but for patients, colleagues and the community at large.

Joan Pons Laplana, a nurse with autism, who is on a mission to revolutionise the healthcare system and empower both frontline and patients to lead together. His commitment to driving change in healthcare is commendable. In addition to lobbying national organisations for crucial reforms, Joan spearheads various influential national campaigns that earned him the prestigious 2018 BJN Nurse of the Year Award, amongst other several awards.

Patient safety and healthcare professionals’ wellbeing remain at the core of Joan’s advocacy. He utilises social media and various other platforms to amplify the voices of healthcare workers and to shed light on critical issues plaguing the NHS.

Moreover, his work extends beyond the traditional healthcare sphere, as he is a recognised force in promoting diversity and fostering inclusion within the healthcare sector.

Joan’s relentless dedication continues to inspire positive change in the healthcare landscape.

More Info at www.RoaringNurse.com

I am Jenneth Orias, an International Midwife working at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I came to the United Kingdom in November 2022. I was born and educated in the Philippines and obtained my license in 1996. My previous work experience was in a government hospital back home.

I was 19 years old when I qualified as a Midwife but due to lack of opportunities, I was not able to get a job back home but instead I worked as a nanny, domestic helper and odd jobs just to get on. I managed to get a Midwifery job in between but it was only temporary. Midwives are not in demand in the Philippines. We are often underpaid and undervalued.

I came to the UK in November 2022 as the 1st batch of International Midwives without an idea that Midwives in the UK are autonomous practitioners. Coming from an Obstetric led model of care and hierarchy, I found it difficult to adapt to my role and felt dumb and stupid because it took me 14 months to work autonomously instead of 12 weeks supernumerary. It greatly impacted my confidence. I thought about downgrading my role or just quit.

No matter how long it took, I was able to come out of supernumerary period in May 2023 and since then I started working on my own. It has been a long journey but if I gave up along the way I wouldn’t be in my situation now.

This is how my story parallels with Mary Seacole – she never let the challenges bring her down but instead it inspired her to do better things in life.

I am privileged to be the first Registered Mental Health Nurse of Ugandan descent to be on the Mary Seacole Program to share my story.

I was born in Gayaza – Masaka to the Late Dr Deo Luwukya and Mrs Jane Mary Nansimbi Babulirwa Luwukya. My brothers, sisters, Ssenga Assumpta Nabateesa, Maama Goreth Nakandi and Irene Nakamatte influenced impacted my life.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts degree (Philosophy, Religious Education & Political Science).

My story shows how I challenged extraordinary hardships during nurse training to focus on what mattered the most.

Amity Baker-David was born, raised and trained in the southernmost Caribbean state of Trinidad and Tobago.

Early 2022, after her father’s untimely passing, she migrated to the UK to fulfil her professional potential, a major sacrifice for her four children. At her first Trust, she was rejected, and humiliated just as Mrs Mary Seacole was rejected from the British Army in 1853. Like her, Amity was also determined to serve humanity. Ultimately, she repositioned herself in a better suited Trust.

She continues to push forward in the footprints of Mary Seacole.

“Mrs Mary Seacole is a lighthouse to me in uncharted waters.
She showed resilience and compassion in her equality in treatment in the 1855 Crimean war and in Jamaica and Panama. She inspires me to persist in fulfilling my purpose despite obvious discrimination in a foreign land.”

I qualified and obtained my Degree in Nursing in Jamaica in 2015. I then worked in private healthcare as an Occupational and Resort Nurse for two years and then as a Staff Nurse at a public hospital in the Accident and Emergency, Surgical and Medical wards where I was seconded for a ward manager post.

In November 2018, I came to the United Kingdom because I wanted to have more accessible training and educational opportunities. Whilst trying to progress from band 5 to band 6 I experienced the hardship of professional fights and career blocks and training opportunities from my then line manager and the occasional racism. I also had to go through the challenges of being an ethnic minority nurse during COVID-19 which included discrimination. But despite the challenges, I never gave up and progressed to a Band 6 nurse in less than 3 years. I am currently working as Band 6 Junior Sister in General Surgery.

My future career ambition is to become a specialist nurse in Cancer Research because my passion is to return to my home country, and help fight and improve cancer care.

Like Mary Seacole, I have overcome challenges while helping those in need and I endeavour to make changes and improve my personal lifestyle.

Gamuchirai Gavumende was born and educated in Zimbabwe and has 23 years experience as a nurse, moving to the UK in 2021.

Gamuchirai has practised as a primary health care nurse and was also a public health nurse for more than 10 years, where she was part of the HIV/TB program in different districts of Zimbabwe. She was instrumental in enhancing healthcare outcomes by providing technical support abn strategic directions to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention initiatives, working closely with healthcare workers, communities and the District Health Team. Her passion for compassionate patient-centred care, with a drive to expand her skills in a new and highly specialised field, made her pursue training as a chemotherapy nurse presently.

Beyond nursing and clinical experience, she is a member of the Zimbabwe Midwives and Nurses Association in the UK where she actively supports International Nurses arriving in the UK and helps them to navigate their way through a new environment and National Health Service system.

She is also a certified John Maxwell Beyond Success Roundtable Facilitator – her desire being to transform people, learn together, share and take action. She is now a Mary Seacole Storyteller, working with others to raise awareness about the experiences of Internationally Educated Nurses, empowering them to navigate their nursing careers with resilience and grace.

I am a registered nurse from India. I graduated in 2009 and did my masters in hospital administration for 2 years.

I started my profession as a nurse and then moved on to various roles including an executive in hospital operations and training and development assistant manager.

In order to support my family in a better way and for better career opportunities, I have migrated to the UK, leaving my family behind. I joined as a registered nurse and really struggled for 4 years because of many reasons- Covid, familial responsibility, language barriers and a complete cultural change. I had to leave all my career dreams behind to manage my family and my work.

My daughter was hit by sepsis and had the worst time of her life, but she survived. I then decided to work for Sepsis patients to create awareness and to identify sepsis at the earliest and save lives. Now the Trust’s lead Nurse for Sepsis and Acute Kidney Injury but I still have a lot more to go.