London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Current job title and organisation

Staff Nurse – Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (From 2020 – Present)

Expatriate Nurse – Medecins Sans Frontieres (from 2015 - Present)

Please tell us a bit about your current work/research.  

I work in Ireland’s Infectious Diseases Ward and National Isolation Unit (NIU), where we cater to a variety of infectious diseases such as HIV, TB, and Malaria amongst many others. The unit is also able to cater to Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers through its NIU.

For MSF, I have worked with them in Pakistan and South Sudan as a Nurse Manager and Flying Nursing Team Supervisor, where I had the opportunity to deal with various tropical diseases.

What course and year did you study at LSHTM?

I attended the LSHTM’s Diploma in Tropical Nursing course back in 2021.

Why did you choose to study with LSHTM?

I chose to study with LSHTM as it is an esteemed organisation for public health and infectious diseases courses. The faculty delivering the subjects are known experts in their respective fields.

Did you have to overcome any challenges to study with us?     

The only challenge that I think I encountered was whether I would be able  to overcome my anxiety as the course was delivered online – especially the laboratory component – however, surprisingly, it’s just as if I attended a real laboratory!

What were your favourite memories from your studies with us?          

Favourite memories would be the laboratory component of the course, understanding the pathogenesis of malaria was interesting! And also, be studying alongside other colleagues from different parts the world!

How has your LSHTM degree helped you in your career?          

It has helped me in my career as I am now able to understand different tropical/ infectious diseases that are relevant to the ward I am working with.

As for my future work with MSF, I think that this course has fully equipped me with the knowledge that I can use when working and dealing with infectious disease outbreaks anywhere in the world!

What would you like to achieve in future?

Hoping to finish a course in global health and work for organisations involved in creating health policies that benefit and improve the lives of many, especially those that are underprivileged.

Do you have any advice for students/recent graduates?

If you are still contemplating on applying or enrolling for this Tropical Nursing course – DON’T! Just go ahead and do it and experience a different kind of education that gives you an overview of both tropical diseases and global health!

As for those who are currently studying and have registered: My advice would be to not be afraid of the course’s assessments – make sure you cite while you write and research thoroughly! And as much as possible, try to attend the live sessions so you can ask questions!

You can follow or message Stephenn on Twitter at @NarsStevo for more information.