“All I’ve ever wanted in life was to be a nurse.”
- Nene Sterling-LS
- Aug 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 4
From Childhood Dreams to Global Health Leadership: How One Nurse Became a Changemaker
By Nene Obibi-Mordi
“All I’ve ever wanted in life was to be a nurse.”
I wrote those words years ago in a letter to Nursing Standard (2004/05), just before my first-ever interview for nursing school. I still remember sitting there with my heart racing, full of nerves and hope, wondering if I was doing the right thing, leaving behind a career in housing and stepping into the world of healthcare.
I didn’t have all the answers. But I knew I cared deeply. I knew I wanted to be part of something that improves people’s lives.
That moment feels like a lifetime ago. And yet, it’s still at the core of everything I do.
Where That First Step Led Me
Becoming a nurse was more than a career change—it was a calling. It taught me how to truly listen to people, not just treat symptoms. That skill—empathy—has stayed with me as I’ve moved into new spaces: leading national transformation programmes with NHS England, coaching professionals through burnout and transition, founding EOON Care in Nigeria.
I’ve sat in rooms shaping strategy for outpatient recovery. I’ve helped design toolkits to improve patient flow across entire health systems. And I’ve worked on the ground, in a completely different context, setting up a care organisation in West Africa from scratch.
And even now, I still carry the nurse’s heart with me.
EOON Care: A Vision Rooted in Community
EOON Care was born from a simple but bold idea: what if people in Nigeria could access holistic, community-led care that felt personal and trustworthy? Not just a clinic visit, but true wellness—delivered by local professionals, supported by digital tools, and grounded in dignity.
We’ve built it brick by brick—hiring teams, setting up systems, earning trust. It’s still evolving, but what keeps me going is seeing people walk through our doors and feel seen, not just treated.
Coaching: Holding Space for Others
Over the years, I found myself drawn to another kind of care: coaching. Supporting people—especially leaders—in finding clarity, recovering from exhaustion, and reconnecting with what matters. I’ve coached NHS staff, NGO teams, and entrepreneurs across continents. Often, the stories are different, but the questions are the same: Am I still aligned with my purpose? Is this who I want to be as a leader? How do I keep going without losing myself?
It’s an honour to walk beside people on that journey.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
If I could speak to my younger self—the one who wrote to Nursing Standard all those years ago—I’d say:
Trust the quiet call. Even if it doesn’t make sense on paper, your intuition knows what you’re capable of.
Don’t be afraid to change direction. Growth doesn’t always follow a straight line.
Lead with heart. The systems may be complex, but people still need to feel heard, safe, and valued.
And To You, Reading This
Maybe you’re at a crossroads. Maybe you’re deep in the work and wondering what’s next. Or maybe you’re simply trying to reconnect with why you started in the first place.
Wherever you are, I hope my story reminds you that purpose can take many forms. And that it's possible to build a career that reflects not just what you can do, but who you truly are.
Thanks for being part of my journey.
—Nene www.nenesterling.com
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You’re not alone on the path—let’s walk it with purpose, together.
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