One such woman is Omobola Akinade, a nurse who has advocated for change and blazed a trail for her colleagues in Swansea Bay. Omobola shares her story as a seasoned nurse with over 25 years’ experience.
On following her dreams:
“I started my career as a trained nurse and midwife in Nigeria where I excelled in giving the best level of care at all times. I pursued my dreams of further advancement by migrating to the UK to join the Swansea Bay University Health Board in 2005. Driven by my commitment to professional growth and excellence, I pursued further education, earning a BSc in Nursing from Swansea University in 2012, which further strengthened my knowledge and skills”.
On gaining experience:
“For 17 years, I dedicated myself to providing compassionate care as a bedside nurse. During that time, I built up my confidence and expertise which led to me mentoring student nurses, taking charge in different wards, and providing support to colleagues in carrying out complex procedures. I also came up with better ways of working to reduce waste by reducing over-dispensing of patient medication through better record-keeping. This was well-received by colleagues and managers alike”.
On developing leadership skills:
“In 2022, I was part of the Florence Nightingale Leadership Programme. My project was selected as the best in my cohort. The programme brought my leadership skills to the fore and gave me the impetus to make greater impact by addressing a long-term issue regarding under-representation of ethnic minority nurses in management positions”.
On driving change:
“As a firm advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equal representation in the nursing profession, I strongly believe in the power of diverse voices and perspectives to drive positive change and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. In this regard, I have facilitated conversations on race, ethnicity, and career progression, encouraging open dialogue that promotes understanding and empathy. Additionally, I organised two forums to facilitate constructive discussions on these issues, which are crucial to the retention of skilled staff, as well as fostering a sense of belonging in the workforce. I’ve been able to progress and develop my own skills, and now I am having the chance to help people who were in the same position I was in”.
On prestigious accolades:
“In recognition of my contribution to the nursing profession, I received the CNO Excellence Award and the Carvell Award in my trust. I was also a finalist for the LOV Awards in the Equality and Inclusion Category. In addition, I am a finalist in the National BAME Health and Care Award in the Compassionate and Inclusive Leader category.”
On working with international recruited nursing staff:
“Currently, I serve as a practice development nurse for internationally recruited nurses. In this role, I impart my knowledge and experience to help them excel in their careers. This also aids their transition into the trust and supports staff retention.”
On enjoying some down time:
“When I am not working, you can find me indulging in my hobbies, spending quality time with my family or engaging in community outreach programmes that further support diversity and inclusion.”
Omobola is excited about the positive impact that she will continue to make; we are certain that Omobola’s story will leave our members in Wales feeling inspired and empowered to forge positive change.
