Sue Twose recognised for decades of impact on somerset’s nursing workforce

Having spent nearly five decades in nursing, teaching and training large numbers of nurses in Somerset, Sue Twose is continuing to give back by supporting student nurses through her volunteer role at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT).

Sandra Webb, head of future workforce at SFT and a former student of Sue’s, said:

“Sue Twose is a very well-known and respected figure at the trust. Over the past 20+ years, she has worked at the University of Plymouth in a variety of roles, including, at one point, as head of nursing at the Taunton campus. Prior to her time in academia, Sue worked as a nurse and midwife at Musgrove Park Hospital in a number of roles, and her career has also included international work and contributions to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a senior member of the fitness to practice directorate.

“She has taught and influenced many of our current nursing colleagues and remains a highly regarded presence in the profession and our organisation. Her students have gone on to work in nearly every area of the trust, from a cardiac specialist nurse in the critical care unit, to district nurses, ward managers, specialist respiratory nurses, senior tissue viability specialists, supportive and palliative care, even our current director of nursing was taught by Sue.

“In recent years, Sue has semi-retired, continuing to work part-time with Plymouth University and generously taking on a volunteer role here at SFT. Late last year, she retired from the University and did not renew her NMC registration, known as a PIN which nurses must hold to practise in the UK, marking the end of an extraordinary 48-year nursing career.

We’re incredibly fortunate that Sue will continue supporting our nursing students and colleagues through her volunteering role, helping to inspire many more nurses in Somerset. We’d like to thank Sue, her impact has been far reaching in healthcare in Somerset.”

Sue’s volunteer role was created in 2022 so that her experience and expertise could continue to benefit students. She now supports student nurses through a structured placement programme, meeting them around once a week or fortnight as a group to coach them and develop their skills.

Reflecting on her career, Sue said: “Nursing has been a privilege. If I hadn’t been a nurse, I never would have done all the things I have.”

“It’s been a privilege to train as many nurses as I have and especially proud to see them climb up the ladder in the trust.

I tell all my students – you can do anything with your nursing qualification. So do it all and see where it will take you.”

Sue’s career began in 1974 when she trained as a nurse. Sue said: “I can’t remember ever not wanting to be a nurse, I remember telling my friend at a 18th birthday party that I want to work in nursing in A&E.”

After qualifying at North Herts School of Nursing, she began her career in accident and emergency, progressing from a junior to a senior role. In 1978 she trained as a midwife, before moving into a nursing role at Nuffield, where she stayed until 1994, rising to senior staff nurse and then sister.

Sue has already had a keen interest in education, and began working as a lecturing practitioner. At the time nurse roles and education pathways into healthcare were in a period of change. There were two ways to enter nursing – training to become a state enrolled nurse which was shorter and had fewer advancement opportunities, and a registered nurse which was a longer course but had a career ladder which could take you all the way to matron. Enrolled nurses were being phased out and so Sue ran the first non-NHS ‘Enrolled nurse to registered nurse’ training course taught nationally.

She spent the next 30 years in lecturing, and although she left frontline care she still maintained her PIN. She became the campus director for Somerset with Somerset College (SCAT) and achieved a masters in professional healthcare.

During this time she took a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to South Africa, not knowing it would lead to a long lasting connection with the country which saw her return 15 times over the years to volunteer in a HIV clinic. Looking back over this time, she reflects:

“There was nothing like driving in your land-rover on the way to do a clinic and having to wait for an elephant to cross!

I felt incredible privileged that my patients trusted me with the HIV diagnosis. Many of them worked at the resort I stayed in, and they trusted me not to disclose their condition. At the time in 2018 there were many myths, legends and stigma. I made connections there that have lasted many years and even when I was in the UK I would help the charity do their annual reports.”

In 2008, she worked part time at the NMC in the fitness to practice directorate, using her knowledge to assess nurses suitability to practice without restrictions across the country in Belfast, Cardiff, London or Edinburgh.

Five years later she attempted to retire from being a lecturer. It lasted seven weeks before she was convinced to return to the university of Plymouth, lecturing part time in Exeter. In 2022 she tried to retire again, this time lasting six weeks before returning again, such was her passion for teaching and education. But finally, at the end of 2025, she let her PIN lapse and has officially retired.

Sue’s former students added:

Suzanne Donaghue, said “I was the oldest student in the class, entry date January 2021. I was almost 50 when I started training and am still working in theatre recovery today. Sue was an amazing teacher, organiser and encourager.”

Rachel Adams told us: “Sue taught both me and my husband, on the adult nursing course between 1998 and 2002. Even though it’s been 25 years, she made a lasting impression on us both. She was always a role model for professionalism and it was clear that she stayed connected to real practice. Her patience and support as a lecturer were admirable, although we always knew when she was displeased. Sue made a huge difference to us. We are both still working as nurses within the trust today, and we’re incredibly grateful for the part she played in our journey.”

Sarah Hodge, nurse, added “Sue is an inspiration to so many people for her dedication and support.”