My motivation and journey to becoming an adult nurse began when I worked as a domiciliary carer in an Independent Health Sector in my community. I noticed that I was always fulfilled when serving and advocating for the ill and vulnerable clients (patients), leading me to study for my level two Mental Health Awareness to learn how best to manage the needs of the patients.
Equally, meeting the needs of the clients and their family members always makes me feel appreciated. I remember wanting to do more for my clients but I was restricted by lacking in some areas the skills and competencies I would require to do so. Watching the district nurses and other health care workers remain professional and thoughtful as they cared for patients in the community encouraged my decision to seek employment at my hospital to attain nursing skills.
Whilst working at the hospital as a healthcare assistant, I understood the importance of self-care and remaining calm in a high-pressure environment. When the pandemic started, I was transferred to the Respiratory High Dependency Unit, which was both challenging and rewarding in equal measure. The risk of Covid-19 complications was higher within the Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, which concerned my family. I knew of the risk and how Covid-19 could affect me differently. However, I was so proud to be at the frontline during the pandemic, watching people recover, clapping for the survivors as they walked out of the department and practising last offices to the beautiful souls we got to know towards their end.
What fascinated and inspired me to train as a nurse was the how both the care for and the fight for our patients were equally important. I was also so proud to find how resilient we all were as a team during the pandemic. Now, some time into the role as a mature Healthcare Assistant (HCA), I am always looking for ways to develop the skills that will improve my delivery of care. I’ll become a better HCA in the future by keeping up with my continuous practice development such as keeping my competencies current.
I enrolled in a college to study Access to Nursing and Midwifery and Allied Professions and, subsequently, got accepted to study BNurs Adult degree course at the University of Manchester. However, somewhere along the way, self-doubt and fear of failure kicked in. I doubted if I could learn, to be a mother of two, a wife and a student nurse all at the same time. I began to question whether it was the right thing for me. My mother, who always supports me, reassured me and reminded me of where I was coming from and what my capabilities were. I became resilient and confident with my decision of training as a nurse.
Throughout my training I have learnt the importance of volunteering your time to represent and contribute to the nursing profession. I am a Board member of the Royal College of Nursing North West, a Student Ambassador and Student Council member of NHS England. I trained as a lead trainer delivering the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) programme to students and am currently involved in the Anionwu Student Fellowship for Inclusivity project.
I am confident in advocating for the region I represent, especially students, and for the outcome I believe would most benefit them. Many Black healthcare professionals face numerous barriers to their progression and usually low representation in organisations and spaces. This is where the pressure and fear of failure can manifest. Becoming more involved and volunteering increases representation in different sectors and I would encourage my fellow Black students to take the time to do so wherever possible.
The independent sector is not always presented as an option to a student nurse while training, it usually has the fewest placement allocations. I would certainly consider working within the independent sector when I qualify, as it is part of my background in health care. The independent sector primarily provides health and social care in the community, and this sector can be after-hospital care, rehabilitation and General Practice treatment to patients.
The independent sector also provides more time spent with each patient, providing them with a greater level of care and support. There is also a balance of a work/life for staff.
It makes me happy to know that Black Asian, minority Ethnic (BAME) healthcare professionals are taking an interest in volunteering and representation and that we are finally starting to recognise that the world really is our oyster.
Equally, meeting the needs of the clients and their family members always makes me feel appreciated. I remember wanting to do more for my clients but I was restricted by lacking in some areas the skills and competencies I would require to do so. Watching the district nurses and other health care workers remain professional and thoughtful as they cared for patients in the community encouraged my decision to seek employment at my hospital to attain nursing skills.
Whilst working at the hospital as a healthcare assistant, I understood the importance of self-care and remaining calm in a high-pressure environment. When the pandemic started, I was transferred to the Respiratory High Dependency Unit, which was both challenging and rewarding in equal measure. The risk of Covid-19 complications was higher within the Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, which concerned my family. I knew of the risk and how Covid-19 could affect me differently. However, I was so proud to be at the frontline during the pandemic, watching people recover, clapping for the survivors as they walked out of the department and practising last offices to the beautiful souls we got to know towards their end.
What fascinated and inspired me to train as a nurse was the how both the care for and the fight for our patients were equally important. I was also so proud to find how resilient we all were as a team during the pandemic. Now, some time into the role as a mature Healthcare Assistant (HCA), I am always looking for ways to develop the skills that will improve my delivery of care. I’ll become a better HCA in the future by keeping up with my continuous practice development such as keeping my competencies current.
I enrolled in a college to study Access to Nursing and Midwifery and Allied Professions and, subsequently, got accepted to study BNurs Adult degree course at the University of Manchester. However, somewhere along the way, self-doubt and fear of failure kicked in. I doubted if I could learn, to be a mother of two, a wife and a student nurse all at the same time. I began to question whether it was the right thing for me. My mother, who always supports me, reassured me and reminded me of where I was coming from and what my capabilities were. I became resilient and confident with my decision of training as a nurse.
Throughout my training I have learnt the importance of volunteering your time to represent and contribute to the nursing profession. I am a Board member of the Royal College of Nursing North West, a Student Ambassador and Student Council member of NHS England. I trained as a lead trainer delivering the Making Every Contact Count (MECC) programme to students and am currently involved in the Anionwu Student Fellowship for Inclusivity project.
I am confident in advocating for the region I represent, especially students, and for the outcome I believe would most benefit them. Many Black healthcare professionals face numerous barriers to their progression and usually low representation in organisations and spaces. This is where the pressure and fear of failure can manifest. Becoming more involved and volunteering increases representation in different sectors and I would encourage my fellow Black students to take the time to do so wherever possible.
The independent sector is not always presented as an option to a student nurse while training, it usually has the fewest placement allocations. I would certainly consider working within the independent sector when I qualify, as it is part of my background in health care. The independent sector primarily provides health and social care in the community, and this sector can be after-hospital care, rehabilitation and General Practice treatment to patients.
The independent sector also provides more time spent with each patient, providing them with a greater level of care and support. There is also a balance of a work/life for staff.
It makes me happy to know that Black Asian, minority Ethnic (BAME) healthcare professionals are taking an interest in volunteering and representation and that we are finally starting to recognise that the world really is our oyster.
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