An inspiring healthcare professional who started her NHS journey as a hospital cleaner has now been recognised with one of nursing's most distinguished accolades. Pretty Manyimo, who initially took on mopping and sweeping duties at Glenfield Hospital after moving to the UK, has been awarded the elite Queen's Nurse title, reserved for those demonstrating the highest standards of excellence and leadership in community nursing.
A Remarkable Career Transformation
Pretty Manyimo, now aged 61, began her working life at the very bottom of the healthcare career ladder when she first arrived in the United Kingdom. Her first position involved cleaning wards at Glenfield Hospital, but she found herself deeply inspired by the nursing staff around her. Observing how colleagues communicated with patients using genuine empathy and care motivated her to pursue nursing qualifications herself.
"My relationship with colleagues motivated me that I could become a nurse," Pretty explained. "It was me learning from them, how they communicated with patients with empathy and care. I wanted to be like them." This inspiration proved transformative, leading her to qualify as a nurse in 2012 and begin working as a community nurse with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust the following year.
Specialising in End-of-Life Care
Pretty's career took a particularly meaningful direction when she chose to specialise in end-of-life care, a decision influenced by her mother's own difficult experiences. She now works within the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Team, a collaborative initiative between Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust and the hospice organisation LOROS.
Beyond her clinical work, Pretty has actively engaged in research aimed at improving end-of-life care delivery for marginalised groups, including people with disabilities and ethnic minority communities. Her findings have been published in international academic journals, and she is currently pursuing PhD studies to further her research contributions.
Prestigious Recognition
Last year, Pretty applied for the Queen's Nurse title, awarded by the Queen's Institute of Community Nursing to recognise leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to community nursing over several years. The application proved successful, making her part of an elite group of nursing professionals.
"It is a great honour and a source of great pride and professional recognition to be awarded the Queen's Nurse title," Pretty said. "I was chuffed I was successful." She particularly values working within community settings rather than hospitals, noting that "working in people's homes you get to know who they really are."
Community Commitment and Future Plans
Pretty intends to use her membership of the Queen's Institute to network with other senior colleagues and bring the best ideas back to benefit healthcare in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Outside her professional responsibilities, she lives in Leicester, participates actively in her church community, engages in sponsored walks for medical charities, and took up swimming when she turned 60.
Reflecting on her remarkable journey from cleaner to award-winning nurse, Pretty offers encouraging advice to others: "The sky is the limit if you follow your dreams. With determination, perseverance and resilience you can achieve anything." Her story serves as powerful testament to how dedication and compassion can transform both individual careers and the quality of care provided to communities.
