Vice-dean of Nursing, Loreto Peyró Gregori, was interviewed by our former Temporary Assistent for International Relations, Amélie Windel, student of the Flemish University KH Leuven.
Our Vice-dean has been working at the CEU Cardenal Herrera since 2001. With her two degrees and extensive experience, we can be assured that the management of our Nursing Degree rests in very capable hands.
Loreto’s extensive experience started at the ‘Servei de Valencia de Salud’, where she worked for ten years. Between that and her job at University CEU Cardenal Herrera, she decided to work as an obstetrics and gynecology nurse at a private clinic: “I like the social contact with patients and colleagues. It is one of the things I like most about being a nurse.” Loreto’s career in the health sector field began when she obtained her Nursing Degree which she studied after her Degree in Psychology. I asked her why she did two degrees and she explained: “After finishing secondary school, I decided I wanted to become a nurse. But my father said I was capable of studying a 5-year degree, which nursing was not at the time. So I decided to study Psychology. It was another field of study that I was interested in, but nursing was always at the back of my mind. Once I finished my first degree (Psychology), I went to my father and told him that since I had my 5-year degree, I then wanted to achieve my dream of getting my degree in Nursing. Fortunately, he did not have any objections concerning my idea to continue my studies. If my dad had not influenced me years ago, I would have never obtained my Psychology Degree.” Nowadays, she is very grateful for having obtained both her degrees and she appreciates a lot the combination of taking care of patients and their mental health.
As Vice-dean for Nursing, she is responsible for the students, the post-graduates, the scheduling and scheme of Degree and so many more things. “I also like to keep in touch with professionals, former colleagues or people I meet through my work here at the University. I regularly have meetings with people from hospitals or other institutes related to Health,” she added. Loreto also teaches different subjects to degree students in third and fourth year and also the post-graduates.
I asked her if there was anything she still wanted to do in her career and she told me the following: “During my education, I never had a real opportunity to study abroad. Now since I have met so many people that have done so, I dream about maybe going to work abroad for sometime. But this remains still just a dream. I have built up my life here with my family, so it would not be an easy thing to do.” If she ever did it, it would most likely be in Latin America, so she could continue to speak Spanish there, or perhaps in some country in Europe, so she would stay relatively close to her home.
To conclude, Loreto expressed how content she is working here at University CEU Cardenal Herrera: “I am very happy where I am at the moment. I identify myself with the ideals and values of the University and I think we offer a real added value to the students when they come and study here.”