International Nurses Day 2025
This Nurses Day, we’re proud to spotlight two outstanding members of our clinical team at The McIndoe Centre. In their own words, they share what inspired them to pursue a career in nursing, the highlights of their roles, and how their passion for patient care has driven their professional growth.
Their stories reflect the compassion, skill, and commitment that define nursing and make a difference to every patient, every day.
Meet Jessie, Registered Nurse
How long have you been a nurse?
I trained in 1974, when I was 18, and qualified in 1977 in Jervis Street Hospital Dublin. I was trained by the nuns ‘The Sisters of Mercy’. The training was totally different back then. It was very strict and regimental with a strong emphasis on patient care, cleanliness and standards, which was also very important in those days. There were no computers and only small diagnostic equipment. Once qualified, I worked in Dublin for two years as a Staff Nurse followed by my Midwifery Training. Once qualified I realised midwifery was not for me, so I went back to my love of General Surgery.
What are the highlights of your career?
Nursing allows you to travel the globe. I then went to work in the Middle East. No matter where I went to work in the world ‘patients are patients, they will always come first’. From looking after the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi to nursing the first Bone Marrow Transplant patient. I look back at my nursing career of 52 years and what a journey! I have gained so much experience, knowledge and understanding of what excellent nursing care is to the patient.
What does being a nurse mean to you?
What I still enjoy every day is hands on patient care and conversing with my patients. I still enjoy being by the bedside. I will always be the patient’s advocate, and with that comes the respect from doctors and surgeons. I find it so rewarding and I am proud of all the positive patient feedback from patients and families. Patients remember me years after nursing them for all those personal things you do, like listening and showering your patients to make nursing care both personal and safe. For me, it has been a vocational career choice and I have worn my nursing uniform with pride.
Meet Jessie, Registered Nurse
How long have you been a nurse?
I trained in 1974, when I was 18, and qualified in 1977 in Jervis Street Hospital Dublin. I was trained by the nuns ‘The Sisters of Mercy’. The training was totally different back then. It was very strict and regimental with a strong emphasis on patient care, cleanliness and standards, which was also very important in those days. There were no computers and only small diagnostic equipment. Once qualified, I worked in Dublin for two years as a Staff Nurse followed by my Midwifery Training. Once qualified I realised midwifery was not for me, so I went back to my love of General Surgery.
What are the highlights of your career?
Nursing allows you to travel the globe. I then went to work in the Middle East. No matter where I went to work in the world ‘patients are patients, they will always come first’. From looking after the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi to nursing the first Bone Marrow Transplant patient. I look back at my nursing career of 52 years and what a journey! I have gained so much experience, knowledge and understanding of what excellent nursing care is to the patient.
What does being a nurse mean to you?
What I still enjoy every day is hands on patient care and conversing with my patients. I still enjoy being by the bedside. I will always be the patient’s advocate, and with that comes the respect from doctors and surgeons. I find it so rewarding and I am proud of all the positive patient feedback from patients and families. Patients remember me years after nursing them for all those personal things you do, like listening and showering your patients to make nursing care both personal and safe. For me, it has been a vocational career choice and I have worn my nursing uniform with pride.
Meet Jade, Senior Sister (Outpatients, Pre-Assessment)
Tell us about your journey into nursing
I have been a nurse for 10 years and worked at The McIndoe Centre for almost four years. I always wanted to be either an Orthopaedic Surgeon or a nurse! I did go to med school for a year, but I wasn't convinced it was right for me, so I transferred to nursing and absolutely loved it! I did go on to specialise in Orthopaedics, and I have had great opportunities as Surgical First Assistant to help in orthopaedic surgeries, so I feel I created the best of both worlds!
What do you enjoy most about your role?
There are so many aspects of my role that I love. We have great teams throughout the hospital and great consultants. There is always support when needed. I really enjoy being part of the decision making with regards to the business, patients, procedures and such. I feel valued and that my clinical expertise is listened to.
What has been your highlight working at The McIndoe Centre?
The decision to move to the private and cosmetic sector wasn't an easy one, but I had some exposure to The McIndoe Centre’s procedures and was hooked! The most rewarding part of my role is seeing patients post-operatively and seeing how happy and pleased they are with their results. Whether that be a DIEP patient, Breast Augmentation patient or a Carpal Tunnel patient!
Find out more about the McIndoe Centre
We provide outstanding patient experiences
As a nationally recognised hospital of excellence in plastic, reconstructive, ophthalmic and maxillofacial surgery, we have demonstrated ourselves to be: effective, responsive, caring, safe and well-led. Recently rated ‘good’ by the CQC, we are committed to treating our patients and each other with kindness, respect and dignity resulting in life-changing outcomes.
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