International Nurses Day

Across our NHS, nurses work tirelessly in hospitals, GP practices, community services, care homes and people’s own homes, delivering quality care and putting patients at the heart of everything they do.

We caught up with Joy Maguire, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Adults, NHS North East London to get her thoughts on the challenges and highlights of a career in nursing.

We want to say a huge thank you to Joy, our nurse colleagues and nurses across the NHS for their incredible dedication and passion to keep our residents healthy and happy.

1. What first inspired you to choose nursing as a career?

My compassion for others has always been central to who I am. From an early age, I was drawn to supporting vulnerable people, shaped by growing up in a church environment as the daughter of a priest, where empathy, service, and community were strong values.

I began my nursing career in 1994 in care of the elderly, developing a strong foundation in person-centred, compassionate care and a commitment to dignity, respect, and advocacy. I continued my professional development, achieving both my degree and master’s qualifications, reflecting my commitment to lifelong learning.

I specialised in mental health, progressing through roles including staff nurse, charge nurse, deputy manager, manager, and performance lead, which strengthened my clinical expertise and ability to manage complex situations. Around 2012, I moved into safeguarding, where I combined my clinical background and core values of compassion and advocacy to protect vulnerable individuals and improve practice. Throughout my career, resilience, integrity, and a strong commitment to others have remained central to my work.

2. If you could pick one word to describe nursing, what would it be and why?

My word would be “advocacy.” Nursing is about being a voice for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves, ensuring their needs, rights, and dignity are upheld. It involves listening, understanding, and challenging when necessary to secure the best outcomes for patients. Throughout my career, advocacy has been central to my role, particularly in mental health and safeguarding and supporting vulnerable individuals.

3. Is there a particular experience in your nursing career that has stayed with you?

There are many experiences that have stayed with me, particularly working with individuals experiencing complex mental health needs such as delusions, hallucinations, and self-harm. What has been most meaningful is seeing people progress beyond these challenges, moving into education, gaining employment, and living as independently as possible. Witnessing that journey and recovery brings a real sense of purpose and reinforces why I chose nursing.

4. What are you most proud of in your nursing career so far and what helped you achieve it?

I am most proud of my commitment to remaining in nursing throughout my career. There have been many opportunities to move into other fields, particularly after completing my MBA, which could have opened doors to more financially focused roles. However, I chose to stay in nursing because of my passion for supporting people and making a meaningful difference.

What has helped me sustain this commitment is a strong sense of purpose, resilience, and the values that first drew me into the profession. My experiences, both positive and challenging, have reinforced my dedication to care. Staying true to these values, rather than being driven solely by financial gain, is something I take great pride in.

5. What’s the biggest challenge you faced in your career and how did it shape you as a nurse?

One of the biggest challenges I have faced in my career has been navigating racism and unconscious bias, particularly in leadership roles as someone from a Black and ethnic minority background. These experiences have at times been difficult, but they have also been defining.

They have strengthened my resilience, reinforced my commitment to my values, and shaped the way I lead. I have learned to persevere, adapt, and maintain professionalism while continuing to advocate for fairness and inclusion. This has not only influenced how I respond to challenges, but also how I support others, ensuring that compassion, integrity, and equity remain central to my practice.

6. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a newly qualified nurse?

 If I could go back in time to myself as a newly qualified nurse, I would advise myself to trust my knowledge, values, and instincts more confidently. Early in my career, it is easy to feel uncertain or compare yourself to others, but nursing is a journey of continuous learning, and competence grows with experience.

I would also remind myself not to be afraid of challenges, as they are the experiences that build resilience, confidence, and professional judgement. It is important to stay grounded in the core values of nursing (compassion, dignity, and advocacy) regardless of pressure or environment.  I would say to be patient with personal and professional growth, and to recognise that every role, every challenge, and every success contribute to becoming the nurse and leader you are meant to be.

7. As we celebrate International Nurses Day, what’s your biggest hope for the future of nursing?

My biggest hope for the future of nursing is that it continues to be truly valued, respected, and supported as a highly skilled and essential profession. I would like to see greater investment in nursing development, with clear pathways for education, leadership, and specialist practice, so nurses are empowered to progress and influence care at every level.

I also hope for continued progress in creating inclusive workplaces where diversity is genuinely embraced and where all nurses feel safe, respected, and able to thrive without discrimination or bias. Most importantly, I hope nursing continues to stay grounded in its core values, compassion, dignity, and advocacy, while evolving to meet the changing needs of patients and communities.

Joy Maguire, Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Adults, NHS North East London