Sheryle’s journey into nursing started with a personal experience that inspired her to help others. From working as a cadet to becoming a theatre nurse, and later moving into medical device safety, she has built a career focused on patient care and continuous learning. This story highlights her career path, the challenges she faced, and her passion for supporting both patients and staff. Sheryle shows how caring, teamwork, and staying positive can make a big difference in healthcare.
- When did you decide that you wanted to be a nurse?
Sadly, I had a personal experience caring for someone with alcohol dependency. As this was a really hard time, I decided I wanted to try and support others who may be in the same position, with a focus on patient rehabilitation and family support. While training as a mental health nurse I was I was successful in gaining a position as a cadet which would give me placements in hospitals for learning disabilities, mental health, acute care.
- Can you give a brief overview of how you got into the nursing profession and how your career switched to medical electronics?
On completion of my cadetship, I decided that working within the acute adult setting was for me. I found my placement in mental services emotional, seeing others going through the struggles of alcohol dependency. Therefore, I chose to train as an adult nurse due to really enjoying my placements within the Outpatient Department at Ashington Hospital and the Day Surgical Unit at WGH, which was due to the quick pace and having brilliant staff as mentors. Following my nurse training, I was fortunate to specialise in theatre nursing. I loved all aspects of this role, the fantastic team working, the focus on patients and every day was different. I have always enjoyed supporting people to develop & learn and to improve how we work.
Many years later, I can say I love my job. I applied for a specialised role as a Medical Devices Safety Officer, after working with medical devices over many years, and supporting the safe use of devices. I felt passionate & excited about applying for the role within the medical engineering team, where I knew everything would be linked to devices.
3. What does your role entail?
My days are full of managing safety notices, defective devices and device incidents. I get the opportunity to improve medical device safety in the trust and have a key role in shaping device safety nationally. No day is the same, and every day I am challenged by new issues. The best part of my job is meeting fantastic people daily.
I’m an RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Learning Representative, a patient safety specialist, and a staff network chair. As a nurse, I feel it’s important to wear many hats, which allows me to network with a wide range of people from all aspects of life.
4. How do you play a part in ensuring the health and wellbeing of nurses within the trust?
I try to encourage others to look for what they have achieved, and how to develop, giving people the time to be heard – that’s important, I feel. I signpost staff to lots of different opportunities for both personal and professional goals.
I’m outgoing and enthusiastic, I try to make my peers smile, encouraging smiling helps reduce stress & is good for heart health.
5. What are the best aspects of your role?
The diversity of my role and responsibilities within the trust and nationally, where I can use my creativity. I continuously learn, therefore always developing new skills and expanding my knowledge base to improve medical device safety.
Working with a team that understands the importance of device safety, and who are passionate about improvement. They’re all great to work alongside and have a can-do attitude. There are many Northumbria staff outside of my team who support me, and check in on me, these people are essential to support me within my role.
6. What do you do for your own health and wellbeing?
Being outdoors is where I feel calm and being silly with my children and exploring. I am part of the community singing group in Ashington – it’s an absolute joy to sing with so many different people and have formed some lovely friendships. I support a scout group weekly, which is really rewarding, seeing the growth of the children as they undertake new activities. I’m extremely lucky to be surrounded by many friends who have pulled me through tough times, bought me coffee, walked with me, and given me hugs; all these things make me a happier person.