Nichola Hughes

8.11.2023

Started training as a nurse in Aberystwyth in 1991 and, after working in medicine, care of the elderly and stroke rehabilitation, moved into community nursing in Conwy and Denbighshire in 1991.

She became a team manager, then manager, before becoming head of district nursing for primary care.

Around 18 months ago she was promoted to head of nursing for intermediate care and specialist nursing in the Central IHC.

“It’s a vocation and I am passionate about nursing and about community nursing,” she said. “It’s about being able to make a difference.

“You can visibly see the difference you make each day. It matters when you have put things right for a patient.

“My job is about supporting teams and making them aware of what we are passionate about. I want to make this a really educative place to work.

“Our nurses are really highly skilled and they need to know about a lot of conditions and patient pathways.

“They carry such a lot of responsibilities so it’s vital they have the education and support.”

Nichola said being awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse was the highlight of a nurse’s career.

She added:  “We know Queen’s Nurses have done some amazing things. I am quite humbled to have been awarded it. It’s an honour and I am very proud.”