MDX student nurse chosen for prestigious national leadership programme

Sofia Anne Moualdi has been selected for the Council of Deans of Health Student Leadership programme

A Middlesex University student has gained a place on a prestigious programme which trains nurses to become leaders in their field.

Sofia Anne Moualdi, a Year 3 Child’s Health student, has been selected for the Council of Deans of Health Student Leadership programme, which is co-funded by the council and Burdett Trust for Nursing and supported by Health Education England.

Students enjoy a two-day residential event with workshops, seminars and lectures along with coaching and mentorship, access to an online community, two online conferences and the opportunity to undertake a personal leadership project.

"Sofia is driven by the desire to provide the best care for her patients and families. She demonstrates a passion and enthusiasm for learning and developing." Perry Henry and Susan Kaur Lawrence, Lecturers in Children and Young Person’s Nursing.

Sofia, 34, an ex-Student Voice leader, said she was encouraged to apply because she is “passionate about the correct care needed and working together as a team”.

She has two boys – aged six and 12 – and has returned to education as a mature student.

“I’m excited to have been chosen for the programme and especially as a mature student because there can be a fear about going back to education when you’re older,” added Sofia.

“I worried about struggling to manage the course with children so to be selected is a real achievement and shows my experiences in life have made me into someone would is a good candidate for the programme.”

Perry Henry and Susan Kaur Lawrence, both Lecturers in Children and Young Person’s Nursing, spoke of Sofia’s qualities for the programme which include constantly improving the experience of patients such as a terminally ill woman and her child who she recently bonded with.

They said: “Sofia is driven by the desire to provide the best care for her patients and families.

“She demonstrates a passion and enthusiasm for learning and developing as an individual and a number of nursing leadership qualities.

“She actively engages in all aspects of her programme and seeks feedback routinely to support her progress and development.

“Sofia has the ability to recognise positive role models to shape her own professional behaviours and to enhance her learning experience.

“We felt this programme would support Sofia in recognising her own potential, build and enhance those skills she already possesses, gain new skills and give her the confidence to be a future nurse leader.”

In her varied placements, Sofia has worked in a neo natal unit, supported young children with mental health, been based on a paediatric ward and helped out home care community teams.

In future she hopes to work in young people's mental health services and with children with additional needs.

Praising the support from lecturers, she said: “They listen and take on board what we are saying when we voice our opinions, which makes a real difference.

“The programme can be intense with assignments and placements so having a team as passionate about the same things makes life easier.

“Middlesex has been very supportive to me over the past few years and I know other students have felt the same. It’s a great place to study nursing.”

MDX graduate Sianne Chinnoyelum Chinwuba, who won Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year at the 2021 Student Nursing Times Award, was also chosen for the Council of Deans for Health Student Leadership programme.

Find out more about studying nursing at Middlesex University.