At DHU Healthcare, we love shining a light on our incredible team members through our regular "Meet the Team" blog. This month, we’re excited to introduce Dannika Rylah, a Community Staff Nurse Out-of-Hours based in Chesterfield. Dannika’s journey into nursing is as inspiring as the care she provides to her patients.
“My grandma was a huge influence for me," Dannika shares. "She’s been a nurse all her life and only just retired at 77. If she could, I think she’d still be working!" Growing up, Dannika’s stepbrother, who had cerebral palsy, further shaped her caregiving instincts. She began working as a carer at the care home where he lived while attending college.
After college, Dannika took time to travel the world before starting her nursing studies. "I didn’t go to university until I was 26, so I was one of the older undergraduates in my cohort," she explains. By the age of 29, she had qualified as a nurse, ready to begin her career. During her training, Dannika discovered her passion for neurology and stroke rehabilitation. “Seeing patients come in unwell and leave after rehabilitation, being able to do things they couldn’t when they arrived—it was amazing and so rewarding.”
Today, Dannika thrives as a Community Staff Nurse in DHU’s Out-of-Hours service. Her role centres on providing palliative care and supporting patients and their families during challenging times. "You’re stepping into families’ homes during the hardest moments of their lives," she explains. "It’s about being sensitive, understanding the emotional tension, and using careful language."
Each night is different, with Dannika and her healthcare assistant colleagues covering up to 150 miles across Derbyshire. "We’re always on the road, and every visit is unique. It’s a dynamic role where you’re constantly learning and reflecting on experiences with the team," she says.
She particularly values the one-to-one nature of out-of-hours nursing. "It’s rewarding to focus on individuals rather than a ward of patients," she says. "I also love working nights—I’m a night owl, and it fits well with my family life."
Over her five years in the role, Dannika has built confidence and expertise, crediting the supportive team environment at DHU. "Starting out was a steep learning curve, but I’ve grown so much. The healthcare assistants are amazing, and working together makes a big difference."