MARCH 2023
THE VOICE | 27
ADVERTORIAL
Senior NHS staff encourage Africans and Caribbeans to consider a career in nursing ahead of National Careers Week This National Careers Week, the ‘We Are the NHS’ campaign is highlighting the inspiring stories of senior Black staff and the exciting and varied nursing roles available across the NHS.
N
ichole Mckintosh believes she was destined to work in nursing. “As far back as I can remember, ’ e a ays anted to he p peop e so pursuin a care ro e fe t i e a natura t she says hen he p peop e he p myse f t’s a t o ay process that bene ts e eryone in o ed Nichole studied nursing at London South Ban ni ersity and ater trained at in eor e ospita t too three years for me to become fu y ua i ed shares icho e ha e no been a nurse for years You look back and wonder where the time oes
WORKFORCE Nichole is now the Regional Head of Nurs in and id ifery at ea th ducation n and s part of her ob icho e or s c ose y ith partners across the cap ita to de e op and sustain a or d c ass nursin and mid ifery or force that is t for the st entury he he ps to ma im ise opportunities for professiona ro th and de e opment for ’s students and staff But icho e’s ourney hasn’t a ays been easy
BLACKNESS “Sometimes it can be challenging to navi ate the professiona space in a hite ma ority or anisation for instance ha e e en not app ied for certain ro es because didn’t fee con dent enou h to o for ard despite bein perfect y ua i ed shares icho e But ha e earnt to embrace my blackness and will be assertive when I need to ou don’t chan e thin s by preachin to the choir you chan e thin s by spea in to the con re ation and ’m ad the is a p ace that a ues my oice Nichole believes good communication s i s are important especia y in the Bein ab e to articu ate yourse f c ear y and con dent y i he p you to o ercome some of the cha en es you may face she says
INCLUSIVE There is also the challenge of choosing hich path to ta e hen it comes to nurs in not east because there are more than types of nursin ro es to choose from in the NHS. Bein a parent to t o youn chi dren hasn’t been a barrier to icho e’s career success either he is ery inc usi e and e ib e to meet the professiona and persona needs of its staff f you’re successfu here you ha e a ob for ife s for icho e’s fami y they are e ated ith her success y fami y is ery
proud of ho far ’ e come says icho e y father is a retired teacher in amaica ho eeps copies of e ery artic e that mentions my or am e treme y ratefu to ha e a o in and supporti e fami y behind me Nichole wants to encourage others to also pursue a career at the
urses are offered a pri i e ed position to witness someone at their most vulnerable and are i en the opportunity to he p for me this has a ays been a rea honour says icho e ou d recommend a ob here for anyone ho has a passion to he p others a ays say a bi part of my ro e is to brin oy hich
comes natura y due to my amaican roots laughs Nichole. earch ursin areers’ for more information or visit: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ we-are-the-nhs/nursing-careers
