Paignton nurse receives prestigious Queen's Nurse title
Jodie Nelder, the Registered Manager of Mount Olivet Nursing Home in Paignton, has received the Queen’s Nurse title after being recognised for her dedication to improving nursing and care.
A Paignton nurse who was inspired by Florence Nightingale at eight years old has received the Queen’s Nurse title
Jodie Nelder is the Registered Manager of Mount Olivet Nursing Home in Paignton and has recently received the prestigious Queen’s Nurse title from the Queen’s Nursing Institute in recognition of her dedication to improving nursing and care.
The recognition comes as Mount Olivet Nursing Home has been shortlisted for two national care awards, including ‘Care Home of the Year’, while Jodie is also shortlisted for ‘Care Registered Nurse of the Year’.
She said: “To become a Queen’s Nurse while Mount Olivet is also shortlisted for two National Care Awards is incredibly special. I’m incredibly proud of the whole team.”
Torbay’s MP Steve Darling visited Mount Olivet to congratulate Jodie on her win as well as the nursing home on its shortlisting.
He said: “This is an incredible achievement, well done to Jodie and her amazing team.”
“I know they go above and beyond to provide an exceptional standard of care and compassion every day.”
The prestigious and historic national title is awarded to nurses who provide the highest standard of patient care, leadership, professional development and a commitment to improving nursing practice.
For Jodie, this ambition started from a very young age.
When she was just eight years old, she watched her grandmother receive end-of-life care, an experience that left a strong impression.
Jodie was inspired to pursue a career in nursing by Florence Nightingale, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern nursing.
She said: “I was inspired by Florence Nightingale as a child because she showed what can happen when someone is brave enough to challenge the way things are done.”
Jodie took this attitude into her career and has transformed what a nursing home can look like.
Mount Olivet follows a ‘Blue Zone-style’ approach, a principle inspired by the habits of populations around the world that tend to live longer and happier lives.
Residents are encouraged to stay active, eat well and prioritise relationships.
The home also regularly takes the residents out for trips to the pub, beach and theatre.
Alongside advocating for residents and helping them lead fulfilling lives, Jodie also pioneered a 12-month Dementia and Brain Health Prevention Programme, helping staff, residents and families understand ways of reducing avoidable dementia risks.
Jodie’s leadership was tested during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Just one week after taking over a 55-bed nursing home, she found herself guiding the home through the crisis without losing a single resident.
Jodie also shares her expertise to help shape the future of social care and nursing, serving on the Social Care Nursing Advisory Council alongside England’s Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Professor Deborah Sturdy, contributing to national discussions on nursing and care provision.
Through her work at Mount Olivet and beyond, Jodie continues to champion compassionate, person-centred care and find new ways to improve residents’ quality of life.