A Newport health worker has represented Wales at a royal event honouring internationally educated nurses.
Clinical research nurse specialist Regina Reyes (pictured above meeting King Charles) was one of four staff selected to attend the event hosted by King Charles at Buckingham Palace to recognise nurses from around the world who are now working in the United Kingdom.
Regina, originally from the Philippines, now works at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and said the event was a celebration of diversity and inclusion in a globally integrated workforce.
Regina said: “There were four of us invited from our health board, and I was nominated to represent Wales along with our chief nursing officer, Sue Tranka.
“Sue introduced the King to the nurses representing each country of the United Kingdom.
“I would like to take this chance to share my appreciation and gratitude to Sue, our nursing leaders in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and my managers in the research and development department who paved the way for me.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the support they have given right from the start.”
Regina also said how much she values the support of her union, UNISON, and added: “I chose to join UNISON because I believe in their mission and vision.
“I recognize that having a trade union like UNISON is very empowering, especially if you share a common value of winning equality, harnessing diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
“It feels like you always have a friend you can rely on with UNISON.
“I highly encourage my colleagues to join a trade union, UNISON is my choice because we have a common ground of vision.”
UNISON Cymru/Wales Aneurin Bevan health branch secretary Andrea Prince said: “Internationally trained nurses make an invaluable contribution to the NHS and we could not provide a service without them.
“Regina is the epitome of what UNISON does to help others by ensuring new recruits are made to feel welcomed and supported in their new roles.
“She is eager for all overseas nurses to have a sense of belonging, for them to have a safe space to express themselves and to feel supported.
“Regina says UNISON provides this and that is definitely something we aim to achieve in our branch.”