Northern Trust nurse says compassion is at heart of community care

Georgia Gamble is a Senior Community Nurse with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, based between the Country Medical Centre in Armoy and Bushmills Health Centre as part of the Moyle Rural District Nursing Team.

A Northern Trust community nurse has spoken about the importance of compassionate care, meaningful relationships and patient advocacy ahead of International Nurses Day next week.

Georgia Gamble, a Senior Community Nurse with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, said one of the most rewarding parts of her role is building long-term connections with patients in their own homes.

Based within the Moyle Rural District Nursing Team, Georgia works between the Country Medical Centre in Armoy and Bushmills Health Centre, supporting patients across rural communities.

Her story has been shared by the Trust as healthcare staff around the world prepare to mark International Nurses Day on May 12 — an annual celebration recognising the dedication, expertise and contribution of nursing staff.

Building trust with patients in their own homes

Georgia said her passion for nursing began with a desire to combine clinical care with compassion and human connection.

“I was always interested in a career in healthcare and I felt that nursing combined the clinical skills side with compassionate care, offering the best of both worlds,” she said.

“I qualified in 2021 and joined the Northern Trust as a newly qualified community nurse. Two years ago, I moved into this senior role and I’m now completing my community nurse prescribing qualification through Ulster University.”

Working in community nursing has also allowed her to form close and trusted relationships with patients and families across the local area.

“In this role I’ve been able to build meaningful relationships with people who welcome you into their homes where they feel most safe and comfortable, and let you build up that relationship with them,” Georgia explained.

“This helps you to provide the best care and act as their advocate to other members of the multi-disciplinary team.”

She added that meeting people from different generations and hearing their life stories remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of the profession.

“My favourite part about being a nurse is getting to meet all the different people that we do on a day-to-day basis, who have really amazing stories from the past and who have lived through so many different generations,” she said.

“You get to build that close relationship with them.”

International Nurses Day shines spotlight on nursing staff

This year’s International Nurses Day theme is: “Our nurses. Our future. Empowered nurses save lives.”

The theme highlights the critical role nurses play across hospitals, clinics, community services and healthcare settings every day.

At a recent event for newly qualified Team North nurses and midwives, the Trust’s Director of Nursing, Gill Murphy, said the message behind this year’s campaign reflected the real impact nursing staff have on patient care and healthcare services.

“Every shift you work, every decision you make, every patient you advocate for contributes to the future of care in very real and immediate ways,” she said.

“This year’s theme tells us something important: excellent care does not happen by chance. It happens when nurses are supported, trusted, and empowered – to use their skills fully, to speak up, to lead improvement, and to influence how care is delivered.”

Gill said nurses should never underestimate the impact small moments of care and reassurance can have on patients and families.

“While we look to the future, never underestimate the impact you will have in the here and now,” she added.

“A kind word, a careful assessment, an early escalation, a moment of reassurance—these are often the things patients and families remember most.

“Empowered nurses really do save lives, not only through technical skill but through compassion, vigilance, and professional judgement.”

Recognition for frontline healthcare staff

International Nurses Day is marked globally each year on May 12 and provides an opportunity to recognise the work carried out by nursing staff across frontline healthcare services, community care, hospitals and specialist teams.

In her closing remarks, Gill thanked nurses across the Trust for their commitment and dedication to patient care.

“Thank you for choosing nursing. Thank you for the care you give, often in challenging circumstances. And thank you for being part of our nursing family and our future.”

The Northern Trust said the annual event is an important opportunity to celebrate the professionalism, compassion and expertise nurses bring to communities across Northern Ireland every day.