Across healthcare, the opportunity to grow is key to retaining experienced professionals. Progression does not happen by accident; and when development pathways are visible and mobility is supported, competence does not stand still - it evolves. This is an area that demands continuous focus in any organisation, because when talented professionals can see a future, they are more likely to build it where they are.
This couldn’t be better exemplified than in last year’s Competence Award, Zhanuzak Yesselbayev, nurse from Kazakhstan, whose decision to make a professional leap is a powerful example of what growth can look like in practice. Read on to learn more.
A couple of years ago, having already worked at another Diaverum clinic in Uralsk since 2019, I made the decision to relocate to Almaty (the former capital of Kazakhstan) in order to progress professionally. I have two young children, and moving meant being around a four-hour flight away from our extended family. Family life is central to my life and culture, moving so far away was not an easy decision. But I believed in the opportunity that was presented to me; I trusted that if I stepped forward, there would be space to develop further and to grow as a healthcare professional. Moving to Almaty marked a new stage for me. It meant adapting to a different environment, learning new ways of working. It also meant taking on greater responsibility - and continuing to improve my skills. In dialysis, competence is not only technical. It is also about the way we treat patients: with attention, professionalism and humanity. Some people have used the phrase “golden hands,” but if I am honest, I see many golden hands around me every day. In Kazakhstan, we care for around 3,300 patients across 55 clinics. That level of responsibility requires consistency and high standards everywhere, not just from one person. I am proud to be part of a team where competence is something we build together. If this award recognises anything, I hope it reflects that shared effort.
When I was informed that I had received the Competence Award, it felt as though everything had come full circle. The decision to relocate, to take on more responsibility, to move my family far from home - all of it had been a step forward. This recognition felt like confirmation that the chance I took had been worthwhile. I felt proud and grateful - not only for the award itself, but for being part of an organisation where progression is possible, where hard work is noticed, and where taking a step forward can genuinely open new doors.
I like to think of competence as a way of working that I try to demonstrate every day. A good day at the clinic is not one where something extraordinary happens. It is a day when patients feel calm and everything runs smoothly - often because potential challenges were identified early and handled quietly. When that happens, it usually means we have done our job properly: safety has been ensured, processes have worked, and people feel respected. Over the years, nursing has taught me something simple: work with your heart, keep learning, and never stop improving. Experience gives you confidence, but growth requires humility. There is always more to develop.
My family watched the Finalists’ Ceremony, and afterwards people came to congratulate my parents. That meant a great deal. In our culture, family pride matters. And knowing that this recognition reflects the work of colleagues across Diaverum Kazakhstan makes it even more meaningful - a recognition of shared standards, not individual success. That is what makes it truly significant: not simply the award itself, but the reminder that when you are in the right environment - one that supports growth and values responsibility - taking a step forward can lead further than you expect.
Has this story inspired you to take the next step? Discover opportunities at Diaverum.
