Sarah Dsouza: From Humble Beginning to Youngest Lecturer at Nursing University Worcester (UK)

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle/U.K. 29 May 2025: At just 26 years of age, Sarah D’Souza of Moodubelle has defied expectations and set a remarkable precedent in the Nursing profession. With a stellar academic record and exceptional talent, she has achieved the distinction of becoming one of the youngest lecturers at the prestigious Nursing University of Worcester in the United Kingdom (UK). Her journey is an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of dedication, hard work, and passion for one’s field. As she embarks on this new chapter in her career, Sarah D’Souza’s  story serves as a shining example for young aspirants looking to make their mark in the Nursing profession.

 

 

Sarah D’Souza is the daughter of Francis and Mable D’Souza of Thirlapalke, Moodubelle.  She had her primary and secondary education at St. Lawrence English Medium School, Moodubelle and Don Bosco English Medium School, Shirva. Having made up her mind to join the nursing profession, Sarah did Pre-University Course in Science from St. Lawrence PU College, Moodubelle. After completing the PUC, Sarah joined the Manipal College of Nursing where she studied and trained for four years from 2014 to 2018 and acquired the B. Sc. Degree in Nursing. 

 

While in schools and PU College, Sarah was not only a hardworking and successful student, but also a bundle of talents which she manifested through various academic and cultural competitions such as acting, dancing, singing drawing and elocution competitions.   

 

Sarah was also an active participant in various parish activities as a member of the youth groups such as YCS and ICYM. She was Vice President and President of ICYM Unit, Moodubelle. Her talents and leadership qualities catapulted her  as Deanery and later Diocesan Vice President of ICYM. Being a good actor and speaker, Sarah D’Souza has been active in content creation in Konkani and her Youtube Channel “Mangalorean Mummy” is quite hilarious and popular. 

 

When asked why she chose Nursing profession, Sarah said that she became a nurse to bring comfort and care where it’s needed most, and she became a lecturer to inspire others to do the same. Her journey of being a Nurse began in India, shaped by her father and mother’s sacrifices. They are the reason for who she is today and for that she will be forever grateful to them. She also gives credit to her husband Shoan Robert Mendonca, also from Moodubelle for his constant support and motivation, and the unwavering encouragement of her in-laws. She says that all of them have tremendously shaped her journey as a Nursing lecturer. The UK gave her the platform to grow, but it’s their love that gave her the strength. Every lesson she teaches carries a piece of them, and the hope that her students will carry both skill and compassion into every life they touch. 

 

Looking for better prospects and having a dream and confidence in her ability, Sarah moved to the United Kingdom and completed her Master’s in Healthcare Management before entering the nursing profession working in a care setting. She worked as a Care Assistant. Later, she became a Registered Nurse and was quickly promoted to Senior Nurse. She also started working as a Clinical Educator.

 

Sarah is an experienced senior nurse in elderly care mainly dementia , Alzheimer’s and palliative care. She also, worked as a clinical educator to the Care assistants, senior carers and nurses. Currently working as a lecturer in Adult nursing (hons) and Foundation year at University of Worcester and pursuing PGCLTHE.

 

Being inspired by her teachers, Sarah had a dream of becoming a teacher and she started applying to universities hoping to get an opening in the teaching profession. She found out that there are many people from India working as nurses in the NHS but not many people from India lecturing nurses.

 

With determination to fulfil her dream of entering the teaching profession, Sarah started applying for a teaching job at universities around the UK and to her surprise found that she hit the bulls eye. She was offered four jobs in quick succession. However, she chose Worcester as her new home.

 

Recalling her experience in interview, Sarah says that the day she went to the interview everybody was so nice. The person who interviewed her, the person who took her to the interview room, the person who called her to offer the job were so nice and so polite that she thought she could feel at home at Worcester.

 

Presently, Sarah is spending time teaching the people who’ll go on to serve as nurses on wards across the Worcester region and beyond. She is one of the youngest Indian nursing lecturers in the UK, a milestone she never imagined reaching so soon at the age of 26.

 

Regarding her experience as a teacher, Sarah says that she vividly remembers when she took her first class. After the lecture five students from India who stayed back after class and said, ‘we didn’t know we could do this in the UK!’, and Sarah said ‘yes! You can if you want!’. Sarah feels elated to find that someone looks up to her as an inspiration, and it felt incredible to be a part of their lives and part of their goals as well. She looks forward to making a lot of difference in the lives of the students.

 

While Sarah is now part of a dedicated and highly skilled team of lecturers delivering training and education to the next generation of nurses, she is already thinking about the next steps for her own learning and development. She hopes to do Ph.D. However, with caution she said,  “I haven’t decided because there are lot of things to plan in life, but I’m definitely getting a doctorate within the next five years, and I’ll be staying at the University of Worcester because they do have the facilities I’ll need to work and study.”

 

When asked about her advice to the youth, Sarah said that the youth should bear in mind that life is about more than just success—it’s about kindness, courage, and growing into someone who truly cares. If you want to be a nurse, know it’s one of the most rewarding careers, but don’t do it because someone else wants you to. Do it because your heart calls you to care and make a difference. Trust yourself, honour the support around you, and always follow your own path with compassion.

 

(Based on inputs from Sarah DSouza and Article in University of Worcester News Bulletin titled ’Meteoric Rise Through the Nursing Ranks Leads Sarah to Lecturing Job at Just 26’ published on 19 May 2025)