International Nurses Day: Zeus One Of Many Celebrated For Mythical Levels Of Skill And Compassion

Zeus Perez

Isle of Wight NHS Trust has heralded the incredible dedication, skill, and compassion of all nursing colleagues as part of International Nurses Day.

With over 600 registered nurses working across many different services, nursing teams provide high-quality care to patients and service users 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round.

Zeus Perez, a Trainee Clinical Endoscopist at St Mary’s Hospital, supports patients who have come to hospital and need an emergency endoscopy procedure as well as patients who need ongoing diagnostic care.

Zeus joined the Isle of Wight NHS Trust just over 5 years ago and worked as a nurse on Appley Ward, working his way up to become a Deputy Charge Nurse, before taking on a fresh challenge within the Endoscopy Service.

Zeus has now been part of the Endoscopy team as a Trainee Clinical Endoscopist for over 2 and a half years and is currently studying to become a fully qualified Clinical Endoscopist.

Speaking about his experience so far, Zeus said:

“It has been really fantastic, everyone in the team is so supportive and we all work incredibly well together.

“Originally I wanted to become a doctor but decided on following a nursing career.

"I am so glad I did as I get to have much more patient interaction and it is one of the best things about the job.”

Zeus’ journey into the NHS did not quite start off as originally planned. Back in March, 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic started, Zeus was part of a cohort of nurses about to start their journey to the UK from the Philippines.

With a stroke of luck, Zeus and his colleagues were able to board one of the last planes allowed to fly out of the Philippines before the lockdown began.

Speaking of the experience, Zeus said:

“Only 3 flights were allowed out of our country before they completely shut down so we were lucky to make it onto the plane.

"When we arrived at the UK we had to be isolated for 14 days which was a bit of an experience.

"All our groceries had to be delivered, we couldn’t go out for anything, it was certainly a bit of an experience.”

Once Zeus has completed his modality training in Upper GI and Colonoscopy, he has set his sights on becoming a non-medical prescriber, Zeus continued:

“For me this feels like the next natural step in my career and how I can further support my patients.

"Eventually I will have the ability to prescribe medication if I see something that needs treating during an endoscopy procedure.”

Reflecting on this year’s International Nurses Day and what is means to him, Zeus said:

“The day is really about the recognition of the role you play in healthcare and even though I have settled in the UK I will always take pride and remember where I am from and training in the Philippines.”

Laura Neal, Director of Nursing at Isle of Wight NHS Trust said:

“International Nurses Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of all our nurses, not just here on the island, but across the globe.

"We are proud of the incredible role Zeus and all our nurses play to keeping our island community cared for every day.”

International Nurses Day is observed each year on 12 May, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, and recognises the essential contribution of nurses worldwide.

Nurses at St Mary’s are marking the occasion by holding a celebration event on the day.