Nurture always have a way to draw you closer to where you will be useful to humanity. All it takes is to be calm and listen. It all began 2008, when I moved to UK to further my education in computing. Two years into the three years course, I felt this is not what I wanted to do. Then I stopped and I went into event management. During this period, I met with one of my cousins working as healthcare support worker (HCSW) in a nursing home in Southall. He invited me over to his place and convince me to join him in his work place. He introduced me to the nursing home manager and an application form was given to me to apply for the post of HCSW, little do I know that this is the journey of my nursing career. I filled out the application form, travelled all to way to Southall from Essex where I was living with my cousin and his wife and handed over my filled form to the receptionist (George) . I waited for months with no reply from the nursing home.
I was too such that I will be called for an interview but when I did not hear from the them, I was upset. On this cold and wet winter morning of January, 2010, I set off to Southall. I met with George who was very helpful and late became my guiding angel throughout my working days in this nursing home. I voiced my concern of haven’t received any feedback regarding my application. He reassured me that I will be invited for an interview. One week after that visit, I received a call from George that I was shortlisted for an interview.
On the faithful day of 10th of January, 2010, the interview day, it feels like spring and I was very energetic. My interview time was 13:30 but I arrived at the nursing home around 12noon. I met with George as usual and we had a long chat while I was waiting for my time. We went through some interview question. Meanwhile, this was my first formal interview in the UK. I was nervous but very confident. At 13:15, I was called into the interview room which was meeting room with large table and few chair. My interviewers – the nursing home manager who was a registered nurse and her assistance. I barely know anything about UK healthcare, as this job involves taking care of elderly people, must of my answers to the interview questions was how I cared for my grandma who passed away on August, 2006. All I did was to show my interviewers know that I am genuinely a caring person. Walaa! I got the job as part-time HCSW. My entry into the healthcare sector.
I worked in Martin House nursing home for two years before I had another interview for a permanent post. While I was working as HCSW, I was pursuing a career in engineering sector but to no success. I apply at queen Mary University of East London to further my education but due to issues with student loan company, I was unable to start that year. But I was still confused if I should carry on with engineering. Deep down in me, its was my call. My passion is in caring for people and I never burn out doing so.
I started developing myself in the healthcare sector. First, I did my NVQ level 1 on social and health care which was a year program. And there is this hunger in me to grow, challenge myself and be a better version of me, to deliver a high standard of care. At this time, I have started looking for jobs in the hospital. I went to interviews up on interview and each i was turned down, I became a better version of me. February, 2014, I was invited for another interview in Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT). Before the interview, applicant have to write literacy and numeric test, if you pass both then you will be interviewed. More than half of the applicants were already staff in the Trust that wants to upgrade to HCA band 2. I told myself no need because this “already staffs” will be hired. But this desire to be a better version of me and provide high standard of care was too much and I felt I was unstoppable. I sat for the test and passed, went in for the interview and I was told that I will be contact. I still have the feeling that this is my job. That evening, I was called by one of the interviewer that I did fantastic and they will be hiring me to start in one of the renal wards. This is how I got to work in the hospital. However, I was still pursuing a career outside nursing. This time in health and safety sector, I paid for and sat for some professional courses and exams like diploma in NEBOSH.
March, 2014, I was post to work in acute dialysis unit on a team that I will take up an apprenticeship program. after six months, I signed up for NVQ level 3 on clinical and health care which lasted for eighteen months. One year after my successful completion of the NVQ level 3, I challenged myself again. I started applying for band 3 and 4 posts, went for interviews and was turned down. Eventually, I was offered a band 3 post in the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. Then I went to my manager to hand in my resignation letter, she could not afford to loss one of her staff, she offered me a nursing secondment which I declined simply because I do not want to be nurse. This is the second times nature have thrown it to me to pursue career in nurse. Then my manager asked me where I want to be in future, I discussed my plans with her. She made me another offer to be the departmental health and safety coordinator which I jumped at because I wanted add on my CV when looking for job in health and safety sector. But I found my passion in caring for others and I strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives which led one for the patient in May 2017 to nominate me for the recognition “making a difference” award in ICHT.
During the same year’s Performance and Development Review (PDR), my mentor told me that I will make an outstanding nurse and she went on to tell me that she will like someone like me to care for her if she could be in the hospital. She pointed out that almost all the patients have said I possess the natural skills and characteristics of nurse. This was very touchy for me and I told her I will look into that. When I got home that day, I sat down and reflect back on the journey so far. My purpose in this life is to help others and I have been doing it without looking back or holding back. Then I told myself “Its time to build on my skills to serve humanity even better and then I made up my mind to apply for BSc adult nursing at the university. I discussed this with few people that where close to me. I applied and went through the rigorous selection process and I was offered an unconditional admission at Buckinghamshire New University. One issue was raised, nursing students have to apply for student loan. Few people advice me not to be in debt. My managers tried to get me the nursing secondment but the Government stopped to provide funding for BSc nursing. At this crucial moment in my life, all I can remember is Warren Buffett quote— ‘The most important investment you can make is in yourself’. One of the renal clinical educator repeated what my mentor said and she will be happy if I were to care for her whilst in hospital. Then September that year, I resigned from my permeant role to further my academics in adult nursing and I found fulfilment in doing so.
My nursing journey 