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My Journey as a Nurse of the Year Finalist

By Linda Mather (Lead Nurse & Director)

4 minute read

In 2015, I had the immense honor of winning the British Journal of Nursing Nurse of the Year award. This achievement holds a special place in my heart because the award was not about flashy clinics, designer outfits, or extravagant shoes. Instead, it was a recognition of a nurse’s ethics, contributions, and dedication to the aesthetics sector. For me, this was a validation of the values I hold dear and the work I’ve dedicated my career to.

A Decade Later: A New Chapter

Fast forward nearly ten years, and I decided to mark this anniversary by entering another Nurse of the Year award. Just a few days ago, I received the exciting news that I am one of the finalists! Looking at the other finalists, I see an incredible lineup of talented and dedicated nurses. While winning would be wonderful, I feel honored just to be included among such inspiring peers.

That said, I’ll admit it—I’d really like to win. Over the years, I’ve worked hard, made significant contributions, and remained committed to advancing our field. But even as I embrace this moment, I’m reflecting on something deeper: the importance of preparing ourselves for these milestones, both physically and mentally.

A Journey of Self-Reflection

For a long time, I avoided entering awards because I struggled with my self-image. After gaining weight, the idea of standing on stage filled me with dread. But then I stumbled upon a podcast by Rhonda Byrne, where she talked about the principles of The Secret. A listener asked why her life wasn’t perfect if The Secret worked, and Rhonda’s response struck a chord with me. She said that manifesting good things requires putting in the effort in advance. You can’t just wish for success or happiness when the moment arrives; the groundwork needs to be laid long before.

This reminded me of the classic pre-holiday panic: realizing your clothes don’t fit and feeling miserable. The truth is, the effort should have started months earlier, not in the frantic week before. Inspired by this realization, I made a commitment to prioritize my health and well-being.

Small Steps, Big Changes

By late 2024, I decided it was time to make a change. I started using the weight-loss injections everyone seems to be talking about. While my progress hasn’t been rapid, I’m proud to say I’ve lost 2 stone so far and am on track to lose more before the awards ceremony. For the first time in years, I’m looking forward to treating myself to something nice to wear and feeling confident—just in case I’m lucky enough to take the stage.

The Moral of the Story

The lesson here is simple: put in the effort now. Don’t wait until the week before a big event and hope for a miracle. Real, meaningful change takes time, focus, and consistency. Whether it’s your health, career, or personal growth, the rewards will come if you invest in yourself today.

A Final Note: Rex’s Journey

Oh, and before I forget—Rex, my beloved (and slightly mischievous) cat, is on a weight-loss journey too. According to the vet, he’s a bit too “chunky” and now resembles an “evil drug lord” in appearance. Needless to say, he’s not thrilled about his diet, but we’re in this together!

Here’s to embracing change, celebrating milestones, and always striving to be the best version of ourselves—both on and off the stage.

As always, if we haven’t met yet, I hope to connect with you in the future, and if we already know each other, I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Watch this space, and I will let you know if I do win Nurse of the Year!

Linda xxx