Dedicated nurse retires after 42 years

Sharon, who was recently awarded the Directors of Nursing Award at the RCN NI Nurse of the Year ceremony started her Nurse training in Ards and North Down back in 1980. Sharon gained a wealth of experience, knowledge and skills, working her way up to become a Ward Sister in 1994, continually moving forward in her career to gain an Assistant Director post.

Sharon has been at the forefront of many Trust and regional ground breaking projects in the Trust including; International Nurse Recruitment, the Practice Education Collaborative and Electronic Rostering. During the pandemic, Sharon played an important role in the Trust’s response, setting up the swabbing and testing service, which was vital in the identification and management of positive Covid-19 cases.

Reminiscing about the past four decades, Sharon said “I have had an amazing career in the South Eastern Trust, working with fabulous colleagues who are now friends for life. Nursing is a fantastic career with so many diverse roles and countless opportunities, particularly in this Trust. I would thoroughly recommend it!”

Director of Nursing, Nicki Patterson said, “After 42 years of service it was a pleasure to wish Sharon a very happy retirement. She deserves to relax and enjoy herself after such a long and distinguished career.”