Meet the Irish expat who was a UAE finalist for Aster’s $250,000 Global Nursing Award

DUBAI: An Irish expatriate who became a finalist for the $250,000 Global Nursing Award presented by Aster DM Healthcare in the UAE says she sees it as recognition of the critical role nurses play in building a sustainable healthcare workforce.

Last week, Cathy Cribben-Pearse, 45, was selected from more than 52,000 entries from 202 countries to be the top 10 for the coveted 2023 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards. One of the finalists.

“As a nurse, I have had the privilege of working with so many talented and dedicated professionals who inspire me every day,” Cathy told Gulf News.

“To be recognized among such esteemed colleagues is not only humbling, but incredibly inspiring. It reinforces my belief in the importance and potential of the nursing profession to impact healthcare outcomes. This nomination is a testament to The unwavering dedication, passion and commitment that nurses and midwives put in. It inspires me to continue advocating for a sustainable workforce that prioritizes the well-being of nurses and the patients they serve.”

Cathy has become known globally during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing pro bono services online as a certified coach to nurses and midwives who need supportive advice during challenging times.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, and as a nurse, I have seen firsthand the hardships nurses face. Amid the chaos and fear of the pandemic, many nurses not only risked their lives, but also lost their lives to the virus. loved ones.”

“During the lockdown, I volunteered to guide healthcare professionals online after the kids went to bed. I shared the post on social media and to my surprise, it went viral. When I spoke with people from all over the world When talking to nurses, I noticed a common theme—they didn’t understand the concept of coaching, and many of them saw me as a potential mentor.”

The results of this realization led Cathy to wonder if these nurses could mentor each other, and thus the seed of a mentoring company was planted.

She then resigned from her full-time role as Director of Nursing to form Oak Mentoring, a global mentoring community that has attracted 200 nurses and midwives from around the world.

“My ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of a sustainable workforce of skilled, compassionate nurses who can make a difference in the lives of patients and communities around the world,” said Cathy.

A nursing leader with over 20 years experience in the field, Cathy has worked across NHS London and Ireland. Her nursing career has been marked by a number of successful start-ups including the first high dependency unit in the NHS for pregnant women with other clinical conditions and the first private colposcopy clinic in Ireland.

She was involved in the opening of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, one of the largest healthcare facilities in the world, where she started as Nursing Home Director and was later promoted to Director of Nursing: Quality, Patient Safety and Accreditation. She also became a trainer and oversaw the hospital’s achievement of ‘Magnet’, the first hospital in the UAE to receive a world-renowned nursing accolade.

“The UAE’s advanced medical services and its drive to world-class healthcare are also inspiring. The country’s commitment to innovation and excellence inspires me to continually strive for the highest standards of care in my nursing practice,” said Cathy.

Cathy’s life as a business owner and wife to Oliver and mother to three boys (Eden, 10, Iver, 9, and Zain, 6) is filled with juggling tasks and responsibilities. However, she said she was able to successfully balance her role with some key strategies.

If she receives money from the award, Cathy says she intends to invest it in her business. “I believe I will contribute not only to the growth and development of the nursing profession but also to their well-being, developing communities globally based on the power of mentoring and by providing mentorship and scholarship to deserving students. “

Voting for the 2023 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Awards is now open on the award’s website. The awards ceremony will be held in London on International Nurses Day, 12 May.