In tandem with our series of case studies on the Nursing Now ‘Young Nurses’, we are also sharing the stories of some of our nurse leaders.
“We will not be able to achieve UHC unless nurses are involved in decision-making […], in all aspects of health as leaders.”
Click here to listen to Nursing Now’s co-chair, Professor Sheila Tlou talk about her experience in nursing, the Nursing Now campaign, and her hopes for the future of the nursing profession.
“I could have taken an easier path to a different location or given up altogether – but I didn’t want to as it just felt right to become a member of this profession.”
Matt Daley, RN, John Burdett Fellow, Health Education England 
When did you first realise you were interested in health and healthcare?
Growing up, I was very squeamish and hated the thought of injury and the sight of blood, but I realised I was interested in health and healthcare whilst serving in the Royal Navy on-board HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious during the Balkans War. During this time. I learnt about the need for humanitarian healthcare due to the conditions ashore. I had some experience in first aid, but wanted to be more involved in helping people directly by providing personal care and intervention. I had an aunt who was a nurse (still is!) and that was the role I aspired to, however, it took some time to achieve this academically and professionally.
How did your career in health begin?
Once I had made a decision to work in health, I was able to transfer my role to the Royal Navy Medical Branch and became a Medical Assistant in the wider general service. This allowed me to gain broad knowledge and experience in emergency, primary and secondary healthcare role settings. After this, I worked as a First Aid Instructor whilst I prepared to enter adult nursing.
I became a Registered Nurse (Adult) in Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service in 2006, and since then I have worked on wards and intensive care units, with opportunities to work with the Ministry of Defence on innovation and research projects. I completed my military service in December 2013 after 23 years, and have mainly worked in Practice Development since then.
Who inspired you to become a nursing leader?
I have had the good fortune to be surrounded by many inspirational leaders who were compassionate, firm, principled and forgiving. During my time as a military intensive care nurse I liaised often with relatives, staff and wider organisations in very sensitive, highly emotional circumstances. During this time I was personally supported by my Chief Nursing Officer. This experience, and the support I received taught me about the value and impact of compassionate leadership. One particularly poignant time was when she accompanied a new member of the team through the final journey of a patient’s organ donation. Her example has stayed with me and continues to inspire me.
What obstacles did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
I have navigated my way through several career changes and sought new opportunities while striving to maintain family relationships, current role and deployments. I have also had to work on my confidence and willpower. Determination, persistence and self-belief have helped me to get thus far. I could have taken an easier path to a different location or given up altogether – but I didn’t want to as it just felt right to become a member of this profession.
What would you tell your younger self/ a nurse at the beginning of their career?
- Find an inspirational role model, if not from your close peers then look further afield.
- Remember, you are representative of the nursing profession and every nurse from the past, present and future. You have the power to make the profession in the image you want it to be.
- Have aspirations, follow them and believe in your abilities – nurses are bright, clever professionals that make a difference every day.
- Vision is everything, share it and make it a reality, whatever it is. Remember that you may be driving it by yourself for a while.
What are the qualities required to be a nurse leader?
From my experience of observing and interacting with different levels of nurse leadership, I think the qualities of compassion and kindness, combined with staying true to values and principles have demonstrated what I believe are the qualities to be a nurse leader – kind, firm and fair. To this I would add – having the will to drive these outwards into the workplace and influence the wider culture of organisations and the social culture of the communities where we live and work.
If you could change one thing about the health system in the UK, what would it be?
The one thing I would change would be the consistency of access to educational and career opportunities for promising young nurses and midwives. I would change the “system” so that newly qualified nurses and midwives with talent and ambition could be fast tracked into advanced leadership or clinical roles. This would ensure that we recognise and reward talented individuals who are the future of the nursing profession.
Why is it important, in your opinion, for young nurses to be involved in policy and decision making?
In my opinion, young nurses must be involved in policy and decision making in order to make their relevance known and build their influence as a body, alongside medical colleagues. Other professionals have a voice and influence, I think that young nurses should be prepared to establish themselves and bring their own profession forward into this arena. Nurses are at the very heart of healthcare and are present in every area – they understand the fundamental concerns of the patient, family and carers, so should be involved at the highest level to ensure that what is being decided meets the requirements now and later. I was taught to be the patients’ advocate in my profession, and I would expect my younger nurses to speak for me, my generation and future generations when I am no longer able.
How do you think that Nursing Now will make its mark on the future of nursing?
I want Nursing Now to make its mark on the future of Nursing by being the point when things changed for the profession. The global passion for involvement is so encouraging, and this I think is because there is a hunger for connection amongst nurses. I work in a Trust consisting of many nationalities and we are all passionate about delivering the same high-quality of care to our patients. Healthcare systems may be different but the reason the nurses are there is the same in any country, and it is this connection that makes us a very strong force for change globally. Conversation and collaboration are key to this change and growing out of this I would want to see the cross pollination of ideas that means countries work closer together to bring benefits to the profession and populace.
Why is it important for governments around the world to invest in nurses/ the nursing profession?
Investment in nursing ensures the profession has the skills, tools and knowledge to meet the needs of the community at home, as well as in GP practices and hospitals. Nurses are fundamental to a functioning health system in society, a lack of investment would be to the detriment of nursing skill and preventative health measures. It would also make nurses feel under-valued.
“My patients and students challenge, motivate and inspire me to live up to my commitment to nursing excellence everyday.”
Bongi Sibanda, DNPc MSc-ANP FHEA RN, Advanced Practice Nurse Consultant/Educator, APN Africa Founder
When did you first realise you were interested in health and healthcare?
I always had a keen interest in health as a child. Growing up with many relatives who were in the healthcare industry, especially different nursing roles, was instrumental in my nursing choice. One relative, a community nursing sister used to drive around the city in a company Madza 323 seeing patients in their homes in the 90s, and by then l knew l just wanted to do that too!
How did your career in health begin?
I did my pre-registration nurse training in Zimbabwe and by the age of 20, l was already a Registered Nurse. It was one of the great foundations to healthcare practice and one l hold dear to where l am now. Post qualification l worked in a number of roles including mental health, casualty, critical care and clinical research; before practising in the UK from 2004.
Who inspired you along the way to become a nursing leader?
I have worked with a number of incredible leaders within healthcare and beyond and I am privileged to have family members who have held senior nursing roles too; they have all inspired me and held my hand along the way. However, my patients and students challenge, motivate and inspire me to live up to my commitment to nursing excellence everyday. I am truly grateful for this challenge that keeps me curious and looking for ways to serve better daily.
What difficulties did you encounter and how did you overcome them?
Being a nurse leader/academic from a BME background, especially in the area of advanced clinical practice is a challenge in itself in the UK and evidence tells us so. My experience has not been that different; I have had to work twice as hard as my colleagues, navigate prejudice and prove my worth in many clinical/academic roles. Fortunately, I am privileged to have many global leaders who have given me opportunities and supported my work along the way; as a result, l have been able to persevere and stay committed to excellence in nursing practice.
What would you tell your younger self/ a nurse at the beginning of his/her career?
It’s the best career choice young lady; relax and see how it all works out later!
What are the qualities required to be a nurse leader?
Among other critical qualities of authenticity, commitment to excellence and emotional intelligence; nurse leaders must be well-versed with healthcare business and policy to achieve organisational goals and population outcomes. Therefore, the ability to grasp the bigger picture beyond healthcare industry and remaining curious on business strategy, policy and global issues cannot be underestimated.
If you could change one thing about the health system in your country, what would it be?
Well, l have a number of countries!
First in England and within my area of expertise – Unscheduled Care (Urgent Care and GP Out of hours services), I would like to see more integration of services and single commissioning. This would address a number of issues around commitment to workforce development, especially in advanced clinical practice by all stakeholders, reduce high expenditure on agency/locum staff and improve patient experience/journey in the system.
In Africa, the current reliance on donors and NGOs for the provision of core primary care services in some countries is unsustainable, not congruent with the Astana Declaration and needs to change. Therefore, in collaboration with colleagues, we are working across disciplines and with a number of regional organisations to strengthen primary health care systems and help governments towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This includes advocating for the development of Family Nurse Practitioners who are well placed to provide high quality care to under-served /rural populations.
Why is it important, in your opinion, for young nurses to be involved in policy and decision making?
Not only is the future young with over 50% of the world population under the age of 30 years; young nurses are future healthcare leaders who will inherit the legacy of UHC 2030. Therefore we need them at the policy and decision making table now to help them carry this work forward. In my experience of working and mentoring young nurses, l have found them to be innovative with great minds. I have learnt a lot from them too. We must harness this opportunity for the future of our profession and positive patient outcomes.
How do you think that Nursing Now will make its mark on the future of nursing?
The current Nursing Now work speaks volumes. The collaboration with WHO, ICN, and Nursing Now has already proved a success in a number of projects; facilitating nursing leaders to be more visible in policy and decision making tables. There is certainly more awareness on the complexity of nursing practice and the need for this to be recognised. The Nightingale Challenge will be one critical area that will make governments commit to investing in nursing and realise the need to do so.
Why is it important for governments around the world to invest in nurses/ the nursing profession?
Nurses are by far the largest workforce across the globe, providing more than 80% of primary care services in many countries. For UHC and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved; nursing education, scope of practice and leadership must be enhanced and this includes scaling up the number of nurses highly trained in clinical practice (Advanced Practice Nurses). The ageing population of current nursing workforce and the WHO projected shortfall of 18 million health workers means that governments around the world must commit to nursing investment if health services are to be delivered to populations.
