Professor McSherry graduated from the University of Hull in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Nursing Sciences. After graduating, he worked for several years within clinical practice in a range of nursing specialities, including medicine, gastroenterology, palliative care and care of older people. In 1996, he moved into Higher Education taking up a post as a Lecturer in Adult Nursing at Dumfries Campus of Bell College Hamilton. Professor McSherry held a number of lecturing posts prior to being promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2001. While working at the University of Hull, along with colleagues, he set up the Centre for Spirituality Studies which he directed until talking up another position in August 2008. His career in nursing continues to involve a combination of practice, education and research.