Erica Robins has always been dedicated to helping others. Over the years, she has worked in different nursing roles, including at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and as a District Nurse. In 2022, she joined Ashgate Hospice as an End of Life Care Facilitator, where she trains and supports other healthcare workers to provide the best care for patients in their final days.  

Last year, Erica was proud to have been awarded the Queen’s Nurse title, a special recognition for her hard work and dedication to nursing. As part of International Nurse’s Day, Erica reflects on her journey into nursing, a career of caring, and what it means to be awarded the Queen’s Nurse title for her dedication to healthcare.

My nursing journey to date  

When I qualified as a nurse in 2004 and started working at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in trauma and orthopaedics, I was stepping into the unknown. I’d just completed my final placement on the ward, and suddenly I was back in a staff nurse uniform with patients relying on me. It was daunting, but the team was incredibly supportive, and those early years gave me the confidence to grow into the role. 

After two years on the ward, I moved into community nursing – returning to the GP surgery where I’d once worked as a receptionist. It was like coming home. Working there as a community staff nurse for eight years gave me a real sense of belonging and purpose. I then went on to complete the Community Specialist Practice course at Derby University, which allowed me to become a qualified District Nurse. From there, I returned to the same surgery, managing a team of eight nurses and support staff. 

A passion for community nursing 

Community nursing has been a huge part of my career. Supporting people in their homes, particularly those receiving palliative care or no active treatment, is both physically and emotionally demanding but also incredibly rewarding. Being with patients and the people important to them during such a private and emotional time is a privilege. It’s where I found the most meaning in my career. 

Helping someone to stay at home, honouring their wishes, and providing comfort and reassurance in their final days is the kind of care that stays with you. These are the moments that confirmed to me that nursing – and especially end of life care – is where I belong. 

Nursing at Ashgate Hospice 

I joined Ashgate Hospice in September 2022 as an End-of-life Care Facilitator. While I’m no longer in a clinical role, my work now focuses on education – supporting care homes, community teams, and hospice colleagues to deliver high-quality, compassionate end of life care. 

Ashgate has given me the opportunity to grow as an educator. We’re supported to use hospice spaces for training, and the atmosphere here is always warm and welcoming. Everyone is working towards the same goal: providing the very best care for people at the end of life. 

I’ll be working towards a teaching qualification next year to consolidate my experience and expand the support I can offer to others in the field. Nursing is always evolving, and continuing to learn and pass on that knowledge is something I really value. 

Becoming a Queen’s Nurse 

One of the proudest moments of my career was receiving the Queen’s Nurse title last year. The award is given to nurses who have shown dedication and excellence in patient care. When I was told I had won the award, I felt incredibly proud as it was a recognition of all the hard work I’ve put into my nursing career, but it also reminds me that there’s always more to learn. 

When I was selected for the award, it was a special moment for me. It’s a great honour to be part of such a special group of nurses, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing in my role. 

Who inspires me 

Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by many people, but one of the most important influences in my life was my late colleague and mentor, Lesley Nightingale. Lesley was a dedicated nurse who worked with me for six years when I was a community staff nurse. She was always focused on giving the best care to her patients and worked right up until her illness stopped her from working. She died in 2012, but her influence on my career is something I still carry with me today. She taught me so much about palliative and end of life care, and I dedicate my Queen’s Nurse award to her memory. 

Looking to the future 

What drives me in nursing is the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives – whether that’s supporting someone through illness, educating teams on best practice, or simply being a calm and compassionate presence during difficult times. 

With the Queen’s Nurse title, I’m even more motivated to continue working with the incredible team at Ashgate. I plan to keep learning and helping others, and I hope to complete my teaching qualification so I can help inspire the next generation of nurses. The work we do at Ashgate is vital, and I’m lucky to be part of it.