Senior NHS staff encourage Africans and Caribbeans to consider a career in nursing ahead of National Careers Week

Nichole Mckintosh believes she was destined to work in nursing.

“As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to help people, so pursuing a care role felt like a natural fit, she says. hen I help people, I help myself. It’s a two-way process that benefits everyone involved.

Nichole studied nursing at London South Bank niversity and later trained at ing George ospital. It took three years for me to become fully ualified, shares ichole. I have now been a nurse for years You look back and wonder where the time goes

Workforce

Nichole is now the Regional Head of Nursing and Midwifery at ealth ducation ngland ( ). s part of her ob ichole works closely with partners across the capital to develop and sustain a world-class nursing and midwifery workforce that is fit for the st Century. he helps to ma imise opportunities for professional growth and development for ’s students and staff. But ichole’s ourney hasn’t always been easy.

Blackness

“Sometimes it can be challenging to navigate the professional space in a white ma ority organisation for instance, I have even not applied for certain roles because I didn’t feel confident enough to go forward despite being perfectly ualified, shares ichole. But I have learnt to embrace my blackness and will be assertive when I need to. You don’t change things by preaching to the choir, you change things by speaking to the congregation - and I’m glad the is a place that values my voice.

Nichole believes good communication skills are important - especially in the . Being able to articulate yourself clearly and confidently will help you to overcome some of the challenges you may face, she says.

Inclusive

There is also the challenge of choosing which path to take when it comes to nursing - not least because there are more than types of nursing roles to choose from in the NHS.

Being a parent to two young children hasn’t been a barrier to ichole’s career success either. The is very inclusive and fle ible to meet the professional and personal needs of its staff.

If you’re successful here - you have a ob for life. s for ichole’s family, they are elated with her success. My family is very proud of how far I’ve come, says ichole. My father is a retired teacher in amaica who keeps copies of every article that mentions my work I am e tremely grateful to have a loving and supportive family behind me. Nichole wants to encourage others to also pursue a career at the . urses are offered a privileged position to witness someone at their most vulnerable and are given the opportunity to help - for me this has always been a real honour, says ichole. I would recommend a ob here for anyone who has a passion to help others. I always say a big part of my role is to bring oy, which comes naturally due to my amaican roots laughs Nichole. earch ursing Careers’ for more information or visit: htt s .healthcareers.nhs.u e are the nhs nursin careers