Community nurse leader scholarship honours memory of nurse who died age 31

Programme is ‘ideal’ tribute to the dedication of Hertfordshire nurse Anna Carey

A leadership scholarship has been set up to honour the legacy of a community nursing sister.

Anna Carey worked as a community nursing sister in Hertfordshire. She died of cancer aged in 1998, aged just 31.

Recognition of community nurses’ hard work

Now the Florence Nightingale Foundation and the University of Hertfordshire, where Ms Carey studied, have established the one-year Anna Carey Community Nurse Scholarship.

Ms Carey's father, former Arsenal goalkeeper and TV presenter Bob Wilson, said: 'Anna loved her job and returned to it following her initial diagnosis and surgery.

'Creating this scholarship, recognising the hard work and dedication of other community nurses, is the ideal way to honour her memory. We couldn’t be more proud.'

The programme is open to community nurses working in Hertfordshire, and the successful candidate will begin their scholarship year in April 2020, Florence Nightingale’s bicentenary year.

The importance of leadership in autonomous working

Jackie Kelly, dean of the University of Hertfordshire's school of health and social work, said: 'As a registered nurse and former community nurse myself, I recognise the importance of leadership to all nurses, and in particular for community nurses who often work very autonomously.

'I would encourage all our local, talented community nurses who are keen to enhance their skills and develop their career to apply for this unique opportunity.'

Find out about the scholarship

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