Who is Lucy YugiLeo?
Well, Lucy YugiLeo is a registered nurse, holder of a bachelor’s Degree in general nursing and a master’s degree (M.A.) in nursing and healthcare management. I was born in Naivasha and raised in different parts of Kenya. I am a mother of two beautiful children, a sister to two brothers and one sister. I currently live in Frankfurt, Germany, loving life and life loving me back.
I normally enjoy quality time with the people I cherish, accompanied by delicious food in a great atmosphere.
What does it mean to be in the nursing profession, specifically in your case?
My thoughts mostly revolve around entrepreneurship, specifically in healthcare. I am one of the utmost solution-oriented persons I know. My strength lies in “As-IS Analysis”, working on different measures in given situations, aiming results to preliminary “To-be-Analysis”.
In short, I provide solutions to problems in healthcare, given the right resources. At the moment, I work in Frankfurt University Hospital, paediatrics department.
What motivated you to delve into nursing?
Two things drove me into the healthcare profession, and in management to be specific. One was the environment around me as I was growing up. There are few people with whom I crossed paths who had qualities that I found to be highly significant as far as health and well-being are concerned. This partly contributed to my personality regarding choosing a career in the healthcare sector. There are communication skills for example, leadership skills and basically how they carry themselves around. Secondly, I took the opportunities available and made lemonade out of the lemons I was given.
How and when did you find yourself working abroad?
Some moments in life unfold in ways you don’t fully anticipate. In 2004, I embarked on a journey from Kenya, and since then, I have found myself returning periodically. It is almost as if a part of me is always drawn back, no matter where life takes me. Each visit feels like connecting with a chapter that is still very much a part of my story.
How is the German Workplace Different from that of Kenya?
For colleagues preparing to come, real scenarios at the workplace should be discussed, for example, gross salary vs. net salary. In Germany, the taxation is relatively high. An unmarried person without children will for example get approximately 55 per cent of gross salary deposited in the account at the end of the month.
Etiquette at the workplace is important to ensure a smooth transition. Punctuality, not taking sides while being told stories by colleagues, not joining groups at the workplace, not talking ill of colleagues to colleagues, just to name a few. Loneliness, depression and other psychological illnesses tend to catch up with us very fast because of the tight schedules of other fellow citizens or people someone can talk to. Precautions have to be considered quick fast minus slow.
Major challenges working abroad?
Like any other workplace, there are regular, work-related challenges that come in different situations and at the workplace each given day. Nonetheless, we use the knowledge gained from school and experience to solve these challenges.
Despite your success working abroad, you still want to come back to Kenya, why?
Yes, I have always had a desire to come back and serve our country and continent in general. Particularly, there is a lot I am looking forward to accomplishing for the next few years.
To begin with, I would like to partner with the government or non-governmental institutions in Kenya and/or other countries in Africa. This collaboration will be in terms of delivering, from the position of administration and management, working on strategic and operational solutions in the field of nursing and healthcare with colleagues.
Your parting shot?
I conclude by quoting from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe “Decision and perseverance are the noblest qualities of a person”.
Robert H Schuller once wrote, “Tough times don’t last, but tough people do”
However, it is of great significance not to forget about our psychological well-being.