Former SERC Student Natalie Named Nurse of The Year 2019

Natalie Moore, a former Health and Social Care student at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) recently won the much-coveted Nurse of the Year title at the 2019 Staff Nursing Care Awards.

Natalie, from Newtownards, is a former pupil of Movilla High School who studied Health and Social Care at SERC over a decade ago before progressing to study a HNC and a HND. Natalie then went to the University of Dundee to complete a BSc in Adult Nursing.

Natalie is currently employed as a staff nurse at Beechvale Nursing Home in Killinchy. Natalie dreamed of becoming a nurse from a young age saying, “From around the age of four I wanted to be a nurse. My grandmother was also a nurse and I wanted to make a difference in elderly care and I believe I am doing just that.”

After being named Nurse of the Year, she said, “I quickly learnt that nursing is not only about handing out medicines, but taking on several different roles, even during one shift, so my range of skills had to developed rapidly. One minute you could be laughing at something funny that has happened and the next comforting family members and wiping tears.

“Nursing means the world to me – I have had some of the best days of my life through nursing and made lifelong friends, but most of all, I believe nursing is more than just a career, it is my way of life.”

Nikki Rainey, Lecturer from the School of Health, Early Years and Adult Education at SERC said “Everyone at SERC is thrilled that Natalie has been awarded the title Nurse of the Year. We knew that she possessed the skills and qualities to be an exceptional nurse. She is a great example of a student who worked hard, progressed through different levels to finish as a highly experienced nurse. The accolade is testament to her hard work and shining example of what it means to be a dedicated nurse.”