NHS organisations and leading practitioners came to the University to engage with students and discuss what’s next
By Mr George Wigmore (Senior Communications Officer), Published
Leading nurses and local NHS organisations came to City, University of London towards the end of January for an all-day event for third-year nurses that provided them with the chance to explore what’s next and the different career opportunities available.
Over 100 third-year nurses attended the event along with 11 partner organisations, including local NHS trusts such as Homerton Healthcare and the East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT), as well as independent practices and charities.
Introducing the event, Dr Caroline Laker, Senior Lecturer in Mental Health and Deputy Head of Nursing in the School of Health and Psychological Sciences (SHPS), spoke about how the day provided a space to reflect on everything the students had achieved so far.
“This is a very exciting day that celebrates you all coming to the end of your nursing course. We are so proud of what you're trying to do, and today gives you the opportunity to engage with what's coming next, talk to the trust partners, and think about your emerging career in the nursing profession,” said Dr Laker. “Nursing is a fantastic career. It's full of diverse opportunities and you can work with people across the lifespan. Now is an exciting time in nursing as politically there's a huge endeavour to increase the capacity of the workforce and potential within that, and so really, there's never been a better time to choose this profession.”
In between two keynote speeches from leading nurses, the students also had the opportunity to browse a variety of stalls set up by the attending partner trusts and organisations. This enabled them to have discussions around the next steps in their career and get a sense of their career journey after graduation.
In the first keynote speech, Sasha Singh, Director of Nursing (Mental Health Care - London) in ELFT, spoke passionately about her nursing journey and the challenges and opportunities it has presented along the way.
“Wherever you go, you will always find that person that you think you can learn from. The challenge is not to align yourself with somebody that's exactly like you; some of the people that I've worked with in my career who made me most uncomfortable taught me the greatest lessons,” Sasha said. “Make sure you share your story and make sure you support people to embark on this fantastic journey. Also remember to be compassionate and dynamic and be the nurse that you would want to be; an agent for change. Also be civil and kind to each other, be honest, and last but not least, change lives and make a difference.”
Two of her colleagues, Dadai Dandato, Borough Lead Nurse, and George Chingosho, Associate Director of Patient Safety & Quality for Inpatient CAMHS in ELFT, then discussed wellbeing, staff support and their passion for nursing, as well as the importance of diversity within the profession.
Later, Nichole McIntosh, Regional Head of Nursing and Midwifery, London for NHS England and an Honorary Visiting Professor in SHPS, gave a powerful and inspirational talk about her life and career as a nurse that gripped the audience.
Discussing her journey from Jamaica to becoming one of the top nurses in England, Nichole spoke about how her “maroon mindset” has enabled her to overcome challenges and obstacles throughout her career.
Nichole was selected to be the Leader of the Procession and Lamp bearer at the Florence Nightingale Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey in May 2016, a great honour in the profession, and she also spoke about the power of kindness during the talk. Nichole said:
There were also field-specific workshops for adult, child and mental health nursing, which took the form of a seminar. The event finished with an alumni panel where four graduates spoke about their experiences of the profession. They discussed their time at City and further educational development routes, and the audience asked them a variety of questions.
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