For Lori Marples, becoming a nurse was anything but an easy path – it was a long, painstaking journey with multiple setbacks, shaped by grief, love and sheer determination. 

Despite being accepted onto a nursing course after college, she spent her twenties in unfulfilling office jobs. By 24, she’d bought her first home, and a year later became a mum. 

Three years on, she gave birth to identical twin girls but one tragically died from a rare condition called anencephaly. It was this experience that pushed her to finally pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. 

She started her degree at 30, had a son during her studies, and returned just four months after giving birth to finish her course – qualifying in 2022. 

Now a nurse on the Inpatient Unit at Ashgate Hospice in Chesterfield, Lori brings not only clinical skill, but a deep empathy shaped by everything she’s been through. 

“I always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “At 18, I got into university in Sheffield to study nursing, but I wasn’t ready and didn’t go. 

“Going through the experience of my daughter dying made me re-evaluate my life, so I went back to college at 29 to do an access course, then started university at 30. 

“I worked on an acute surgical ward for five months which I enjoyed but wanted I wanted something different; when I saw the job at the hospice everything changed. 

“I didn’t have much nursing experience, but I went for it – and I got the job. I couldn’t have been happier.” 

It was another personal experience of grief that drew Lori to career in hospice care. Years earlier, her beloved grandma Christine suffered a stroke and spent her final weeks in hospital. 

Lori credits her grandma as her biggest inspiration and says her own experiences help her connect with patients and the people important to them on a deeper level. 

“The care my grandma received was very poor,” Lori said. “It made me want to provide compassionate care to patients and those important to them at the end of their life, to give them the support they deserve. 

“I love being able to make a difference in patients’ lives and making them as comfortable as possible. 

“I know how hard it is when someone you love is dying. I want families to be able to just be family and not worry about being carers. Being able to do that is what I love most about this job.” 

A typical day on the Inpatient Unit involves medication rounds, helping with personal care, supporting patients and those closest to them, as well as getting to know the person behind the patient.  

One moment that has stayed with Lori was when she cared for a woman with motor neurone disease who used an eye gaze machine to speak. 

“We built up a good relationship and had a laugh,” Lori said. “When she was at the hospice, she typed a message to me: ‘Thanks so much for looking after me so well. I will never forget your kindness.’ That meant the world to me. 

 “I’m very empathetic – I sometimes take situations home with me,” she admits. “But our team supports each other. Talking things through and reflecting really helps. 

“For anyone thinking about a career in hospice care, if you think it could be your passion like it is mine, go for it. It’s amazing, rewarding and incredibly fulfilling.” 

Ashgate Hospice, which provides free palliative and end of life care at its hospice in Old Brampton and in people’s homes, was rated Outstanding earlier this year following a recent CQC inspection.  

Despite this exceptional recognition, the charity faces growing financial challenges, with less than a third of its funding coming from the NHS.  

This leaves a £11 million shortfall to be met through fundraising and donations in order for nurses like Lori to continue caring for patients across North Derbyshire.  

Head to Ashgate Hospice’s website to find out more about working or volunteering for the charity.