Between sport and high-level competition, there is only one goal: to care
At the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, each student writes a unique story. In the case of Inês Pires Moreira and Carolina Costa, nursing became the stage where different passions found space to flourish. Two young women, two different paths, but one common denominator: the certainty that nursing is much more than a profession, it is a way of life.
With a degree in Nursing in 2023 and a postgraduate degree in Sports Nursing in 2025 from the School of Nursing (Porto) of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Inês Pires Moreira has always believed that caring goes beyond techniques and procedures. "Choosing Nursing is choosing a path of dedication, commitment and purpose", she says.
Her time at Católica shaped not only her academic training, but also her view of the role of a nurse: "I realised that being a nurse is much more than just performing procedures: it means being there at the most critical moments, having the sensitivity to listen, acting with confidence and determination and, above all, caring with intention".
Today, Inês works at Futebol Clube do Porto and Futebol Clube da Foz, combining her passion and vocation. "The postgraduate course in Sports Nursing was a turning point. It showed me that there is room in nursing for all dreams, even those that seem less conventional". She has some advice for future students: "Be curious, be bold and believe in your worth. Your path doesn't have to be the same as everyone else's — it has to be yours".
While Inês found her professional calling in sport, Carolina Costa experienced it as the greatest challenge during her training. A final-year nursing student and elite athlete, Carolina learned to balance two demanding worlds: training, international competitions and long hours of clinical teaching.
“Balancing my degree with high-level competitive sport was undoubtedly a challenge,” she shares. But this balance was also reflected in her identity as a future nurse: "I learned to manage my time rigorously, to set priorities and, above all, to recognise the importance of balance between body, mind and spirit — something that nursing itself also requires".
At Católica, Carolina highlights the close support of the teaching staff and the opportunity to represent the University on the international stage. "Putting the name of UCP on the world's biggest stages, in the international competitions I participated in, was something that made me very proud".
Prepared for the future, Carolina believes that the skills developed in high-level competition are the same ones that underpin clinical practice: teamwork, resilience, and the ability to make decisions under pressure. Her advice to future students is clear: "Don't wait for opportunities to come to you; go out and find them!"
Although they have different backgrounds, Inês and Carolina share the same conviction: nursing is a profession that requires dedication, passion and authenticity, and that transforms not only those who practise it, but also those who receive their care.
Interview with Inês Pires Moreira | Interview with Carolina Costa