Career profile: Morejoy Saineti

Why did you become a nurse?

It was a childhood dream to wear the white cap and white uniform, and care to for people. I believe it was my calling in life to care for those in need.

How has your career developed since you started nursing?

After qualifying as a general nurse in Zimbabwe, I worked in a private hospital as an ICU nurse and paediatric nurse for two years. I moved to a private doctor's surgery for a year. Following that, I joined Harare City Health occupying various posts, including infectious disease sister, community psychiatric nurse, and primary care nurse. After I achieved a diploma in psychiatric nursing, I worked as a ward manager at a TB unit. I moved to the UK in 1998 to further my studies and I worked in nursing homes and for nursing agencies. In 1999, I became a staff nurse, and then a charge nurse in the elderly and dementia acute ward. Having achieved an MSc in health research and a practice-based teaching certificate, I then moved to Housing 21 in Westminster borough in 2008 to develop a palliative care service for people with dementia. I won the international dementia nurse of the year award in 2010, and became a Queen's Nurse in 2013. I resigned this year to do part-time agency work while I strengthen my voluntary work as a pastor. I also volunteer at Greenwich University as a lecturer in dementia.