Mercy Wasike becomes first Kenyan deputy chief nurse at top London hospital

A Kenyan nurse, Mercy Wasike, has made history in the United Kingdom after being appointed deputy chief nurse at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RHOH) NHS Trust.

Ms. Wasike formally assumed the role on May 3 and has been providing senior leadership at the specialist London trust in support of the chief nurse.

In a statement, the hospital said Wasike has experience as a senior sister within an emergency department and has also worked as a professional development nurse.

“Mercy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to nursing at RNOH. Her professionalism, expertise and compassionate approach is an exemplar to her colleagues and make her an amazing nurse leader,” Louise Morton, chief nurse at Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital was quoted by Nursing Times as saying.

Ms. Wasike graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in Kenya before moving to the UK for a diploma in adult nursing at the University of Brighton.

She joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register in 2003. In 2016, she joined Health Education England where she worked as professional lead for community and primary care nursing.

While accepting her appointment, Ms. Wasike said the appointment was a recognition of her goals since she left Kenya to pursue greener pastures.

“I left home to explore an opportunity to use my gifts in service to humanity. This position validates that decision,” she said.

“I would like to acknowledge all those who have contributed to getting me this far on my nursing leadership journey, my family have an abiding belief in my ability and have been consistent with their support to me.”

Additionally, she is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK), a Florence Nightingale Leadership scholar and a Queen’s Nurse.

She has worked across North Central and East London, leading community and primary care nursing projects.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital RNOH is a specialist orthopaedic hospital in London. ​​It provides the most comprehensive range of neuro-musculo-skeletal health care in the UK and is also a major teaching centre.

According to Wikipedia, around 20% of orthopaedic surgeons in the UK receive training there.