Michaela

As we look ahead to World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2026, Jade Larsen, a Practice Development Nurse at Cygnet Hospital Stevenage, reflects on how her personal experiences influenced her decision to become a mental health nurse, and why she is Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse.

Oluwatobi Olaojoyetan (Tobi), a Ward Manager at Cygnet Paddocks, reflects on her inspiring journey from psychiatric nursing in Nigeria to leading specialist neuropsychiatric rehabilitation services in the UK, and how her role at Cygnet Paddocks makes her Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse.

My nursing journey may not have started as part of the plan, but it has become a career that I’m genuinely passionate about. From the support I’ve received to the opportunities I’ve been given and the difference I’m able to make every day, there are many reasons why I’m proud to be a Cygnet nurse. For me, it’s about being part of a team that believes in people, supports growth, and helps change lives for the better.

Nursing is often described as a vocation rather than a job. It is a journey marked by continuous learning, personal growth, resilience and compassion. I have experienced many phases as a nurse that have shaped me into the leader and clinician I am today; and there are many reasons why I am Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse.

People often ask me what I'm most proud of in my career... Of course, I'm proud to be the Hospital Manager at Cygnet Wallace Hospital. I'm proud of the exceptional ratings we've achieved and the recognition we've received as a service. I'm proud of how far we've come as a hospital. But those aren't the things that make me Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse. What makes me proud are the people we support and the incredible moments I've had the privilege to witness throughout my career.

Jo-Ann McAuliffe, Cygnet’s Deputy Director of Nursing, marks 20 years with us, and, tells us why she is Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse.

Holly Hunt, Senior RMN at Cygnet Cedars discusses the powerful reasons why she’s Proud to be a Cygnet Nurse and why she supports Cygnet’s Cancer Awareness & Prevention Campaign.

Many Ways to Learn: Celebrating Learning at Work Week 2026 at Cygnet

For Cara Burke, a Nursing Apprentice, currently completing her Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship in Adult Nursing with Cygnet, the path to a fulfilling career wasn't always clear-cut.