Carmine Vigorito joined us from Italy and has just been awarded his Masters in ECG thanks to the support from his team on the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) at CRH. Amanda McGrath, from Nursing Specialist Recruitment, has hailed his achievements.

She said: “Carmine joined us in February 2016 he was one of my first EU nurses. Carmine was originally allocated to one of the elderly wards but his passion was for Coronary Care. Carmine has persevered to fulfil his dream of working in CCU. I am very proud of Carmine and what he has achieved in such a relatively short time.

Here's more from Carmine:

Hello My Name Is.... Carmine Vigorito.

I’m a 24-year old Italian nurse and I came to the UK in February 2016.

I have got a sister who is 14 and all my family live in Salerno (which is in the southern part of Italy).  I am an ex professional swimmer – I have competed in and won medals in 100m backstroke and 100m crawl. I’m not currently swimming, but I have continued with bodyweight workouts, which I consider essential, not only for general health but to keep myself efficient and mentally active.

What is your position?

At present I’m a staff nurse on the coronary care unit in Calderdale. I worked for the first year in complex care in the same hospital.

Summarise your career background

I graduated from University of Rome in 2015. My university nursing training allowed me to change ward every two months, to apply into the different ward all those guide lines, protocols and procedures which I previously studied at university  lessons. I worked as a registered nurse for 6 months in CCU in Rome and for the final six months in A&E in Nocera Inferore, before leaving for the UK. My first manager in this Trust has been Amy Scholes, to whom I’m still grateful for all the time she has dedicated in helping  me adapt to a hospital environment in a different country and culture.

My current manager is Sally Lee, who gave me the opportunity to start a new, innovative and extremely skilful way of working in CCU and in the same time to follow a short-term ECG university course at masters level, which I have finished and passed in January. This allows me to interpret ECGs on the unit and has given me an insight and understanding into cardiac conditions and treatments in general.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Considering that the English nursing model is nowadays considered the most advanced, well funded and valued one all over the EU, I would like to specialise in this acute cardiac sector, updating my nursing knowledge as much I can.

Sum up your role in three words

Observe, analyse, act.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Honestly I wanted to be a scientist, because I was fascinated to experiment and make new discoveries.

Who is your hero/heroine and why?

I have never had one, but I would probably choose Captain America as a good role model, for his determination and willingness he has shown over his military career.

When you are not at work how do you relax?

Having my usual training workouts, going out with friends,  meeting new people but certainly not staying at home having a cup of tea!

What is your favourite place?

The Amalfi coast, always and forever.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

They will have to find it out for themselves!

Twitter/Facebook?

www.facebook.com/carmine.vigorito.3

The NHS is 70 next year. How does that make you feel?

I feel happy to be part of an amazing team and in particular for all the NHS opportunities which I am going to enjoy as much as possible.