A Charles Sturt University nursing alumnus who has contributed to improving health care across three continents has been recognised for his service to the field. Mr Gideon Johnson thanked the University for its dedication and commitment to educating international students to create a global workforce.

Mr Gideon Johnson has achieved a lot in a short time, proving you do not need to have decades of experience to make an impact in your chosen field.

In less than 10 years, Gideon has completed multiple nursing degrees and obtained licenses to practice in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

He has completed university degrees in Nigeria and Australia and worked as a nursing intern, critical care nurse and ICU specialist in Australia and London.

Gideon was born in Nigeria, is an Australian citizen, his family is from Texas, USA, and he currently lives in London, with his husband Nicolas.

He worked as an educator at Croydon University Hospital in London and as a Senior Intensive Care Nurse Practitioner. Gideon managed the complex care of patients with limited orientation during the COVID-19 outbreak in London, leading a team of nurses to care for critically ill patients.

He successfully led and mentored 20 nurses to the completion of their postgraduate diploma in critical care, which many of them passed with distinction and have continued to send compliments and positive feedback.

Gideon currently works as a senior manager for surgery in a large hospital in central London. During the London winter, he designed strategies to re-energise and engage the nursing workforce and developed the skills of the team across all surgical specialties to ensure a high standard of patient care and leadership development of the team, which has been commended by the senior leaders of the organisation. 

His efforts to improve the nursing and health system in three countries is what earned him a Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumni Award. He has also been selected as a Humanitarian Affairs Peace Ambassador, representing Australia and Edith Cowan University in the Global Peace Summit of Emerging Leaders at the United Nations Conference Centre in Thailand.

Gideon commenced a Master of Nursing (Leadership and Management specialisation) in the  Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences in 2018 and graduated in 2020. He studied online but was based at Charles Sturt in Bathurst.

He had previously completed two bachelor degrees and two postgraduate diplomas and is currently enrolled in a PhD. He is conducting complex research on an international scale, developing, implementing and evaluating an intervention for acute brain dysfunction in critically ill adults.

Gideon was offered automatic enrolment in a master’s degree because he was a high-achieving student but he was moving interstate and could not commit to the face-to-face component. He searched for master’s programs that were offered online and found Charles Sturt University.

“I am passionate about creating an inclusive culture and leadership across the country,” he said.

“A regional university offers the opportunity to see beyond the capital cities and learn unique skills that aren’t commonly found in larger cities, which can be translated into the broader communities.

“I learnt to become an independent and well-rounded leader and researcher from Charles Sturt University. This gave me the confidence to apply to a PhD program the year I graduated and I was accepted into three universities.”

After graduating from Charles Sturt, Gideon was able to manage complex management situations at his clinical practice and make significant and original contributions to the nursing profession and his workplace through projects he implemented.

Gideon also became a youth mentor, providing academic guidance to youths from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds to enter university.

He attributed his time studying with Charles Sturt in giving him the confidence and ability to help others from CaLD backgrounds.

“It is important for Charles Sturt University to offer opportunities to international students because this enriches the learning culture and stimulates intellectual pursuits,” he said.

“International students may better understand the Australian community from regional areas where many indigenous cultures are visibly evident in their day-to-day living.”

Gideon said he was honoured to receive a Charles Sturt University Distinguished Alumni Award, in the Young Alumni of the Year category.

“Winning an alumni award is an incredible honour because it means that hard work truly pays off, regardless of a person’s background or colour,” he said.

“It shows that every passion that I absorbed myself into was worth it, as the community feels the difference and these works are inspiring other people to also contribute to our great society.”

Gideon commended Charles Sturt for recognising alumni and said it inspires other university students and alumni to pursue their dreams.

He hopes to continue his impactful work by becoming an influential leader who ‘inspires positivity and greatness in society’ and by creating innovative knowledge to advance the nursing profession.