Congratulations to former student and nurse Lorraine McCauley who has recently been awarded the National Rising Star award for her work in dermatology.
Lorraine said that using all the skills she has developed as a nurse, along with the skills she learned studying Beauty Therapy at NWRC, will enable her to progress her career to become a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Lorraine will also complete a Nurse Prescribing Course in the near future.
Now living in Jersey for the past 10 years and working as a Dermatology Nurse at Jersey General Hospital, Lorraine, along with seven other nurses in the UK were awarded Rising Stars by the British Dermatological Nursing Group (BDNG).
The awards are given to nurses who are at the beginning of their dermatology nursing career and recognise those who demonstrate excellence, innovation, or a focus on patient-centred care. Lorraine is among just seven in the British Isles recognised with the national award.
“I’m still in shock,” Lorraine said. “The award means I’ve been invited to attend the World Congress of Dermatology – one of the largest international dermatological conferences - in Singapore in July. That will be an experience of a lifetime.
“I might live in Jersey now, but I’m very proud to have come from Derry and I come back as often as I can to see family and friends.
“I always speak highly of how the skills I learned when I was at NWRC in 2003 have helped me so much in my career.
“I studied my Level 2 and 3 at NWRC and then went on to work in a number of businesses across the North West as a beauty therapist.
“When I decided I wanted to be a Dermatology Nurse at the age of 32, I had to attend night classes at a college in Jersey and do my GCSE Maths. Then I did my A Levels through online learning; all whilst working full time as a Beauty Therapist. Once I gained these qualifications I was able to start the Nursing Degree in 2018. I was a student nurse during the Covid pandemic and qualified with a 2:1 in 2021
“Without all the amazing teaching at NWRC, I wouldn't be on the path I am on in Dermatology. They gave me the foundations for everything I went on to achieve and the transversal skills I learned I still use every day in my work.
‘My lecturers, Janis Anderson, Grainne McCartie, Catherine Keenan, Emear Mellon, Corriena Moffatt, Jackie Matchett were all incredible and I have to thank them for where I am today."
To follow in Lorraine’s footsteps you can check out our courses at www.nwrc.ac.uk/fulltime
