UHDB colleagues share their career progression stories for National Careers Week
This week, UHDB is proud to celebrate this year's annual National Careers Week, taking place from 4-9 March 2024 - shining a spotlight on inspirational employment stories, empowering individuals to explore diverse career pathways, and affirming our commitment to nurturing talent from far and wide to cultivate a workforce that embodies excellence, compassion and openness.
Yesterday, we shared more information on #NCW24 including a range of 'pledges' that our #TeamUHDB colleagues have made on how they will seek to develop themselves and those around them. To read these pledges, visit the article here (opens in new window) >
National Careers Week also provides an opportunity for us to share individual career progression stories, celebrating the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to the table within our workforce - and we are delighted to share these stories from four members of our #TeamUHDB family.
Lauren Manson, Nursing Associate and Nursing Associate Learning Support for Trauma and Orthopaedics
"After 5 years as a carer for young adults with learning disabilities, I wanted to pursue a Nursing career while gaining acute care experience in the process - and I joined the Trust in 2015.
"I started off as a Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) on an Elective Orthopaedic Ward, before being transferred to the Emergency Department while I was completing my Access to HE and Minor Injuries Training, followed by moving to a Trauma and Orthopaedic ward to complete my Nursing Associate training, where I have remained since.
"What I've enjoyed most about my career here is the varied exposure to many different areas of Nursing and the career progression opportunities available. This opened my eyes to just how many different career paths than can be taken throughout a Nursing career. What has been particularly helpful is being able to have the financial security to progress my Nursing career thanks to my employment with the Trust - and I am working toward becoming a Registered Nurse, which should further open up many more career opportunities for me.
"I love to learn, and to share this learning with others in my team which can benefit from it too. This is how a good Nursing team is formed - being supportive to others, and in turn, being supported yourself.
"I feel so confident to continue on my career journey thanks to my experiences and achievements so far - and there really is a fantastic support network within the Trust."
Lindy Garrucho, Senior Clinical Educator for International Nursing
"I came to UHDB from the Phillipines in 2018 as part of one of the organisation's international recruitment schemes, and I work as part of the Learning and Education Team.
"My journey started as a staff nurse in Trauma and Orthopaedics for two years, until I decided to move into a different division and broaden my horizons - when I began working in the Haemodialysis Unit for around ten months prior to starting my current role.
"The opportunity came up to work as a Clinical Educator supporting our Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) for their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) for their Nursing and Midwifery Council registration - a process that all our internationally-educated and trained colleagues must go through in order to practice in the UK. This was the perfect place for me - as I had gone through this myself and had a background in teaching.
"If there was one thing I can pick out from the amazing things that my role allows me to experience, it's probably the opportunity to help shape the journeys of our IENs within UHDB - witnessing them thrive and develop through the highs and lows of becoming registered practitioners. It has been a privilege.
"Looking to the future, I would like to continue supporting these incredible colleagues especially regarding their overall learning and development - and it is my aspiration that every single one of them find the right opportunities to flourish at UHDB through the many different programmes we can offer them."
Chelsea Riley, Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department
"I began working here as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) over ten years ago in January 2013. Then, after a period of Maternity Leave, I was able to work as a Trainee Nursing Associate in 2019, before progressing to Adult Nursing in 2021.
"I really enjoy being part of the team, working together to be a key part of a patient's recovery, there to support them as best I can when it is needed.
"Eventually, I aspire to work as a Nurse practitioner, but I would like more exposure to our different specialities here - such as community nursing, and gynaecology."
Ebony Boss, Registered Nursing Associate in Renal
"I joined the newly formed UHDB in July 2018 as a HCA on the renal ward. A few years later, in September 2021, I began working as a Trainee Nursing Associate before qualifying as a Registered Nursing Associate two years later.
"I most enjoy being able to directly make a difference to patients' lives, building a good rapport with them and acting as their advocate when I can. I love being able to see the positive difference we make to the patients as we help them on their road to recovery from being admitted to being discharged.
"Being a Renal Ward, we are a specialised discipline, meaning that our patients are well known to us and allows a mutual trust and bond to be made as we deliver their care. We see our patients after they've been discharged to support their recovery, and the progression we see is so rewarding. As a team we're all so supportive of each other, and we work so well as a unit to deliver high quality care.
"I have a particular passion for end-of-life care. Ensuring the patient's needs and wishes are met is a true privilege to me - we only have once chance to get it right and this makes the journey so meaningful both to them and their families.
"In the future I hope to transition to becoming a full Registered Nurse, all while sharing the knowledge and skills I've learnt so far with others, helping to guide them through the development of their careers too.
"Overall, my aspirations are to grow professionally in my skills and knowledge, to gain leadership experience, increase my speciality in palliative care, and to remain as happy as I am here today."
Thinking of joining UHDB?
If you're considering becoming part of the UHDB family and supporting our delivery of exceptional care together, you can head over to our website to find out all the different routes into joining our dedicated workforce - no matter what you specialise in. Head over to our job opportunities page, here (opens in new window) >
Article image, clockwise from top left: Lauren Manson, Lindy Garrucho, Chelsea Riley, Ebony Boss.