Nursing lecturer conquers Mount Everest as part of summit challenge

A nursing lecturer at the University of Derby has climbed Mount Everest as part of a personal challenge to summit seven of the world’s highest peaks to showcase the strength of the profession.

Rowena Rowberry has added Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, to her list of mountains she has tackled in the past year. This marked number four in her challenge to scale the highest mountain in each of the seven continents.

As part of a group of two climbers and two Sherpas, Rowena made it to the summit from basecamp in four days, while the entire expedition took a total of eight weeks.

She began her mountain challenge in 2024 to demonstrate how the personal attributes of being a nurse can be channelled into achieving incredible outcomes, and to inspire her students.

Rowena, who worked on an Accident & Emergency ward during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, said:

“Until January 2024, I had never even dreamed of climbing a mountain.

“My personal circumstances changed, and I needed a challenge. Climbing Kilimanjaro seemed like the perfect fit.

“The resilience I have gained from my nursing career has helped with the challenge. I find that training for a climb gives me structure, and that the challenge helps with the physical and mental demands of nursing."

Rowena has shared her Everest adventures with students at the University of Derby, who were not initially aware of her plans to scale one of the highest mountains in the world.

She said that climbing Mount Everest left her “battered and bruised”, and “mentally and physically exhausted”, but would encourage others to challenge themselves too.

“I didn’t tell my students at first; I think I was in denial. However, they’re all very proud of my achievements and I hope that in doing this challenge, I can inspire them too.

“There is so much that I have been through in my nursing career, and I don’t think I would have been able to do this if I hadn’t had some of the qualities nursing has given me.”

While showcasing the resilience of nurses, Rowena is also raising money for the Royal College of Nursing Foundation as she plans to tackle Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, Denali in Alaska, and Mount Vinson in Antarctica.

Dr Denise Baker, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care at the University of Derby, said:

“We are incredibly proud of the achievements of Rowena, and her commitment to shining a light on nursing as a profession.

“Nursing is an extremely rewarding career. It takes determination, resilience and heart and Rowena has demonstrated this. She is a fantastic ambassador for the University of Derby.”

Nursing at the University of Derby is ranked in the Top 10 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2026. There are many routes available to starting a profession in nursing, with the options to study online or on campus.

Find out more about nursing at the University of Derby