As part of our on-going celebrations to mark Women’s History Month, we spoke with Moreblessings Maponga who shared her story about why she left accountancy for a career in nursing (and why it’s so much more fulfilling!), the meaningful impact nurses have on people’s lives and why working at Elysium has helped her achieve emotional and professional growth.
“Why do I love nursing? Well, it’s a long story. My husband is an engineer and I was an accountant and auditor because I had done an accounting degree in South Africa and completed my articles in Zimbabwe. We moved to the UK in 2002 for his work as an engineer.
“When I moved here I was only accompanying my husband. I took my annual leave and I was planning on going back to work with my company, which had an affiliated company here in the UK – but things were done differently and they couldn’t take me. Finding other work in accounting was difficult and I stayed at home. Then I had my first child in 2004 – the first of my three boys. I stayed with them until they went to school full time.
“Then, in 2010, I thought ‘this is not working for me’ and I saw an advert for a mental health nurse course. I love talking with people and am passionate about them. And so I took the plunge and went to London to study mental health nursing in 2010, completed my diploma and took a role in Oxford. In my first two years, I was shortlisted for an award.
“I decided to up my advanced diploma to a full degree while still working for the NHS Trust and I got my first class there. And I thought – I love this job!
“Then I said I wanted to challenge myself more. It was female forensics and I thought, why not try some different areas? I saw the flexibility being offered at Thornford Park in 2015 and that’s where it all began, taking a role as a Senior Staff Nurse. The minute I stepped into that setting I knew I had fallen in love with forensics.
“My hopes were to study for a Post Graduate and moved from Senior Nurse to Deputy Ward Manager to Ward Manager – while I was moving up the ladder the company was also changing.
“I wanted to be a team leader – I wanted to continue to improve myself. From Thornford Park I moved to be one of the team launching the Avalon Centre, a neurological service so it was totally different to what I had been doing. And then in 2024 I went to do my MBA at Cranfield and qualified as an Executive MBA student.
“The reason why I will never regret having left accountancy is that in this role I can have a meaningful impact on people’s lives, I can witness people’s progress and the impact that has on their families and friends. In other areas of nursing you might not have time to sit down and get time to talk with people, to really get to know them and be part of their journey. You get to do that in mental health nursing.
“Of course there are challenges, but every day is different and every day there is growth, variety, a chance to engage and above it, it’s very interesting!
“Nursing is a chance to balance mental, social and physical well-being for a person and that is very intellectually stimulating for me. It’s a complex role and that is why I love it. It allowed me to have flexibility, to have time for my friends and family and all of that while doing something I love. I don’t know if there’s another job that would allow that to happen.
“Overall, for me, it’s about connection and building trusting relationships. The connections I have with patients and staff are very rewarding for me. It is also rewarding to be an advocate. The people we support face marginalisation and in my role I can help break down barriers and stigma.
I have learned so much about myself in my nursing role and the combination of personal fulfilment, ability to make a real difference and the opportunities for emotional and professional growth makes my job a deeply cherished area for me.”