I am a registered nurse who retrained in my 30's in the UK. I am a mother of 2 lovely children. I relocated from Kenya and have lived in England for more than 10 years. I am interested in health care, nursing, diversity as well as love food, nature, gardening and exploring different places.
At times, we must remember to take a pause, take time out, have some headspace and get into the zone before an interview.
Preparing for interviews is quite a nerve racking experience. Of course there is always a winner who will be announcing good news and there will be someone else who receives: We regret to inform you on this occasion you have not been successful’! A few people will come out and say that they did not get the job and wish they had done A,B,C,D….Or some will silently wither away and say it is a game of chance, luck or not their fate.
This is my experience: I got an invitation to an interview on a Monday and had to prepare a presentation too. The interview was set for Thursday 4pm! I said: Yes I can do it! I spent the evenings and nights prepping whilst also trying to finish off my MBA assignment – ‘Managing People’ which was due in less than a fortnight.
Have you watched ‘The play that goes wrong’ ? I remember watching the play in Cambridge in 2017 and was in laughter most of the time! Because everything somehow fell down or was not right!
I left home on Thursday morning with my notes and a print of my PowerPoint presentation ✅! I had a busy day ahead but I am always an octopus and fit it all in – I love a bit of a challenge!
3:30 pm: Oh dear! I realised that I was not going to make it on time for 4pm interview appointment! I sent a message to the organiser and said I was going to be late. I couldn’t help it because I need to see everyone who comes through the door!
There is a certain room that I had intended to use during the interview. A few people use it here and there but, normally it is empty! I went at 3:50 to collect something and there was someone in the room. I mentioned that I was coming back at 4pm and joked it will be interesting to hear your feedback on how the interview goes and she said it’s ok you can come. Feeling confident I had everything in control I carried on.
4:09: I managed to see the last person – grabbed my laptop and papers! I went to the room where I was going to sit during the duration for the interview. The other person I saw earlier on was in a meeting and tells me they have booked the room and I need to leave.
At this point; I am apologising to my interviewers and my next mission is to look for an empty room. I quickly dashed out and walked around praying. Luckily, I found an empty room.
💡 Lights on, action – I knew time was running out and the interviewers had to leave by 5pm. I sat down gracefully – deep breath and carried on. I had almost lost my gathered thoughts and composure at this point. But, I had to put a brave face and silently whisper to myself : ‘The show must go on’.
To be honest, I knew I had messed up big time and kept thinking ‘ They think I am a clown – I have come to be interviewed for a role that is about Leadership and here I am late, disorganised!
Whilst driving home that evening; I replayed the whole scene in my head and at night couldn’t sleep thinking What a palaver! How could I ever be late for an interview and even forget the most important things to say and sell myself!
Of course as expected, I got my commiserations and feedback! I have reflected and gotten courage to share my experience. Lessons learnt:
It is ok even if things don’t go to plan
Interviews give us the experience and we learn to be better from the feedback
Take a day or a few hours off before an interview and get into the zone
Develop goals : mid term, long term and work towards them
Have less text on the PowerPoint presentation and don’t rush
Surround yourself with like-minded people and get a coach or mentor
Always believe in yourself and your potential
Never give up on your dreams. Everything happens for a reason. There is always something out there for you even if you did not get the dream job during an interview.
Stepping into the unknown can seem so scary! Every so often a job opportunity comes up as a secondment, fixed term or a stretch assignment and at times it takes a while making a decision. Is it the right time, right route, safe option and is it worth a try? From a scale of 1 to 10 – how many people feel content, happy and fulfilled with where they are? Some rarely think of trying something different.
Questions such as this always linger on many peoples minds – Should I ? Shouldn’t I? What happens after a fixed term role e.g 8 months, 12 months, 18 months? I saw this secondment/ stretch opportunity, but I don’t think I can apply. Can I have this conversation with my manager? Exploring options and choosing a right career path or following ‘your dream’ is one of the most nerve wracking and complex experiences we can face in our lives.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs reminds us that human beings are driven by the desire to meet basic needs that is: to be happy, to have a meaning, to be contribute positively in society and human connectedness. The ‘Mind of leader’ book encourages mindfulness and self awareness.
While facing the dilemma of is this right for me? It is important to carry out a SWOT and be self aware. What values do I hold? What makes me tick?
To be honest, working in healthcare or NHS gives an individual the best opportunity to test different paths, learn new things and broaden your understanding of the bigger picture.
Recently, I have been asked how do I manage to switch roles and cope with the uncertainty of what next? I wish I could spell out my plan but, I don’t have one. At times, a little diversion is good for your own growth and development and exposes you to how an organisation works.
For instance: in Nursing once you have your Bsc Hons Nursing degree it doesn’t mean you have to follow the traditional linear pathway : Nurse – Sister – Deputy Ward Manager- Ward Manager – Matron etc. There are several paths you can take whether it is clinical, education, corporate, charity sector, research or management. You don’t have to get discouraged by focusing on the known path and don’t despair when things don’t go to plan.
I have never had a plan of what I want or where I see myself in the next 5 or 10 years. I know there are people who are meticulous and have well laid plans and stick to it. But, I am a bit unorthodox ! In fact it took me a while to sign up to having a coach. The thought of discussing my thoughts and plans is something that I wasn’t sure I was prepared to do, although I knew it was beneficial to have a coach. I think it was a great decision to have a career conversation with a coach that made me start thinking about my values, what really matters and to begin with goal setting.
People are different and some are happy and content where they are – which is absolutely fine. However, if you feel there is something you want to try then give it a go. Don’t hesitate in having a conversation with someone or just apply and see what happens. At times it takes a leap of faith to get to where you want in life. If it works out that’s well and good; if it doesn’t take it as a lesson and don’t let it deter you in realising your full potential.
The world is an oyster and the beauty of nursing or vocational courses is that you will always have the skills. As people say; once a nurse, always a nurse! Based on the demand vis a vis supply – there is a shortage of nurses in the country and a high demand for the profession.
Do your research for your career progression – Look at the pros and cons. What’s the alternative – is it better to live and regret ‘I wish I had’ or give it a shot and see if it works for you and gain a different insight and perspective!
Starting a new job can be exhilarating, exciting as well as nerve wracking. Having worries, feeling the need to impress and at times feeling like an imposter in the first few weeks is quite common. But, let’s face it – many of us at one point in our careers have found ourselves on the crossroads thinking:Did I make the right decision?, Do I really know what I am meant to be doing? Can I wing it till I make it?
It is natural to feel this way of course – I had a wobble a few months ago when I started a new job. I was overwhelmed – I guess I had moved to a very niche area ‘infection control’ and moved from a big team to a small team and there is a lot to learn in this specialised area. It is also a very interesting time to join this areaof nursingwhilst the country is experiencing the third wave of COVID-19. I have always thought that I loved a challenge, was a quick learner and adapt easily, but, this time I was almost giving into the little doubts in my head. Am I good enough and will I be able to meet the expectations of the role and ace it.
On top of switching into a new role, I had my first MBA assignment ‘Managing processes and systems’ that was almost due so the pressure was on.
As I reflect and look back; I am glad I shared my vulnerability via Twitter and afterwards people reached out and also shared their own experience. This has helped me write this.
The key to surviving the first few months in a new job is to:
Believe in your ability and don’t doubt yourself otherwise you would have not been offered the job.
Surround yourself with people who can support and advise you.
Utilise your network and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Give yourself time to settle in and don’t be too harsh on yourself.
People don’t expect you to be perfect or know everything and mistakes will happen. It is how you learn and grow following mistakes that matters.
Pace yourself and trust your instincts.
Reflect and take time to celebrate small wins.
Pause, write down 3 things that went well every month and check in with yourself how you feel in 3 months.
List the things that you need to build on and find ways of gaining confidence in those areas.
The first few months while finding your feet in a new role can be daunting and at times it feel as if you are always winging it! But, you are not. Simply put, you are using skills, experience and knowledge that you already have and it is a matter of trusting yourself and the capabilities you possess in a new environment.
I am glad I had a pep talk with someone when I had these anxieties. We managed to come up with a plan of overcoming my worries and that honest conversation boosted my confidence.
It is important to try and shadow other colleagues in the profession or ‘find a role model’ or ‘buddy’ whether it is in your organisation or another one and ask questions. Sometimes, it might be useful to find a coach or a mentor who will help you to put things into perspective and reflect on your ability.
The power of Twitter is amazing – use social media constructively and build your professional network. Follow and connect with people in your profession and don’t be afraid to ask if you need help.
Be patient and kind to yourself and it is ok not to feel ok at times. But, never underestimate yourself or sell yourself short. You can overcome the imposter syndrome feeling and let your true self do the job with confidence and integrity.
Today, I remember the ones who have left us this week – selfless individuals risking their lives in the front line and their loved ones to save people and tackle this pandemic .
I am a nurse. I cry for the families they have left behind, I cry for the goodbyes that never happened, I cry for the children who will miss to see their mum or dad or grandparents. I cry for the families who cannot attend the funerals. I cry for the deep hole this silent killer is creating in our societies. The tears, the sleepless nights, the pain it is causing all of us!
Please remember to be kind, tell people you love them, hug them when you can or virtually. One of my friends wrote a post this week and she mentioned about encouraging her husband to write a will – very essential I talked about it once in my ‘Unspoken words’ blog. We don’t know what is round the corner.
No one can take the fear we have in our hearts, the anxieties we hold. The battle seems long – it is hard and difficult. I cannot help admire the dedication, bravery of all front line workers and keyworkers my colleagues, my friends. I follow many health care workers forums and Covid-19 has sparked so many conversations – caused uncertainty, trauma and the fear of the unknown.
These are extraordinary times for all of us – we are tackling a global catostrophe ‘Corona virus’ . I suppose I can’t help to keep mentioning the unavailability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the need for Covid-19 testing for NHS workers and social care sector in my blogs. PPE is absolutely vital to the protection of workers who are providing essential care. Staff working in the frontline are in fear for themselves and for their families at home. At times, in the community it is the fear of contaminating the car after a visit, we are aware this virus can stay in clothes for several hours. Some people have chosen to live in separate rooms or accommodation because of the risk of exposure to their loved ones.
We also need to keep track of the numbers of nurses and all other professionals who die helping with the pandemic and remember and acknowledge them equally. It was a bit disheartening when the UK Health minister Matt Hancock was not able to give figures of nurses and said ‘some nurses’ who had died on BBC Question time on Thursday night. Let us remember them and light candles 🕯 .
I am scared and have my own worries about my redeployment, but I will do my best while on duty. According to the mathematical modelling of COVID-19 crisis, the next 2 weeks are projected to be the ‘peak’ time (when the number of deaths get to 1000 a day). Please play your part, by observing social distancing and staying at home. I hope society will show restraint in spite of the weather forecast showing warm ☀ days ahead!
The latest neuroscience research suggests that American scientists are getting closer to reading minds and have developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) that can turn brain activity into text. How I wish it was there to read our minds 🧠 during this crisis!
Lest we forget, diversity and inclusion in health care in this time of crisis. This graph shows disparities and inequalities in the structure of the UK health care system – the National Health Service (NHS). The vast majority of people who serve on the front line are from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities. Interestingly, as the bands get to the senior leadership roles the BAME representation starts dropping. Recently I read Yvonne Coghill’s blog on ‘Community , Colour and the Corona virus’. Yvonne is the Director of Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES). It reminded me whose ‘hands are on the deck’ and how much more needs to done to include everyone at the table and reflect diversity of the healthcare workforce – even in the discussions on the TV or who is who in the NHS Nightingale hospitals.
It is a weird time, I can’t sleep, I have trouble with insomnia at times even my sleep spray did not work last night!I kept writing this blog in the middle of the night till dawn. Thank goodness for technology – I can write my blogs and do everything on my Huawei phone 📱before clicking Publish ✅ .
Sleep spray didn’t work last night 👀 – oops
We have so much to be grateful for – let us look after each other. It is important for keyworkers to talk and also look after their own – wellbeing. Leaders, please listen to the cries of the people on the front line. Be kind, We are in this together, and together we will overcome this crisis. ❤️🕯️
It feels so strange at the moment #stayingathomesavelives! I know we are all coming to terms with what facing the Corona virus pandemic means. It is not easy and all of us have to make sacrifices and make various adjustments to the way we live. Life is no longer the same – it is very different, crazy and at times feels like we are in a movie! But, sadly it is the reality – please stay at home. My nursing colleagues, doctors, healthcare assistants, nursing associates, porters, cleaners, carers, radiographers, paramedics, administrators are working so hard and leaders in healthcare are making tough decisions to help with the crisis! I admire all key workers – the applause 👏🏾 clap for our carers and National Health Service (NHS) on Thursday 8pm said it all. I am looking forward to being back at work next week. In preparation, I have been doing my online Medical Emergency Response refresher course.
It is day 11 of self isolation in the Young household – I haven’t yet stepped out of the house apart from going into the garden. I can’t wait to hug kids and hubby next week! Apart from looking after myself so that I am fit for work. We have come to contend with kids who are adapting to home schooling. You don’t realise how much it takes to settle a child into a new routine and get their attention to do something – I give my respect to all teachers. I can only imagine how parents will feel when this all is over – not that we know anything about a timeline or exit plan. Honestly, to say the least I feel exhausted and it’s only Week 1 and a few days of kids being at home 🤔!
This week – kids have been busy in the house and in the garden
On a good note, we are so lucky that we are able to access free online learning resources, activities and games such as online school learning hubs, live streams with ‘PE with Joe Wicks’, Oti Mabuse Kids dance classes, story-telling, sublime experiments, BBC teach website, Sky kids TV – learning at home, Alexa etc. And of course, thank God the sun has shone in the darkest times of our lives – kids can play in the garden and engage in activities that can stimulate their senses, creativity and thinking. They even managed to do a joint science Lava experiment in the garden with their friend on video.
A simple Lava experiment – all you need is water, oil, food colouring and salt. And then watch the bubbles ….
P. E with Joe Wicks is getting kids active.
This week has cast a long shadow on the country: as businesses and lots of other places have been shut down and restrictions applied to minimise the spread of Corona virus. People have been encouraged to stay home by the Prime minister and key workers have also been pleading with the general public ‘We stay at work for you, please stay at home for us.
By the way get well soon Mr Johnson, our Prime minister and Mr Hancock our health minister – the country needs you.
Following my blog last week, I absolutely applaud the announcement to bring in more testing for key workers working in the front line. We need COVID-19 tests across all health care trusts and social care systems to ensure staff are safe to work, minimise spread of the virus and to know whether staff need to self isolate or not – Thank you.
We must remember times are hard for many, the pandemic has caused a devastating effect on the economy, business and lives.
It is so sad and unfortunate that a lot of businesses will be at a financial loss this year – my heart goes to everyone who is affected. As well as to a lot of families who have been separated💔 from each other during this crisis.
In these unprecedented times, I suppose the closures of McDonald’s, Nando’s, KFC, chippies, local cafes and lots of restaurants – mean that we all have to eat in and learn how to manage without going out and cook. My daughter kept reminding us on Monday that it was the last day of McDonald’s, ‘Can we go through the drive in? No, love we can’t, we are self isolating I kept reminding her. As much as we will miss all this – ‘We’ as a country have to learn new ways of surviving and getting by.
We have discussed about money and budgeting at home and thought how much we might save by not going out. Although, there is still the temptation of online shopping 🖥 or browsing for other things!
Over the years, we have been watching the ‘Back in time’ TV series with Giles Coren and it shows different eras and how people lived and now we have to stay at home and adapt. My daughter has been peeling a lot of potatoes this week – she is such a tweenager! 🤔🤭. She was on Face time with a friend the other day while peeling them – on a positive side she is gaining a new life skill.
My husband continues to bake Sourdough bread – a family tradition that started in 2011 when he bought a San Francisco sourdough starter mix for his father. At first, I used to bake but now it has become his ‘hygge’ activity to feed and care for the mix weekly!
Home-made sourdough bread batch for this week. It is almost gone because everyone is ravenous!Bread is a scarce commodity – even buying flour from supermarkets is difficult (panic buying) !
Hygge ‘well – being’ is a Danish way of living well and being happy. Meik Wiking author of The little book of Hygge describes Hygge as :’It is about being with the people we love, a feeling of home, a feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world’.
Of late, virtual interactions are increasingly getting popular as we find new ways of social interaction and connections in our living rooms for instance Zoom, House party, #togetherathome to name but a few.
I had a twitter detox for a few days last week as I self – isolated because I wanted some time away from everything. But, I reconnected so that I would know what is going on.
Our healthcare systems are struggling to cope, sacrifices have been made by medics, my fellow nurses are giving their all and even student nurses are going to be on the front line next week to care for all. There has been a lot of random acts of kindness (RAK) – despite the gloom this pandemic has brought the nation and the world together.
Every day I watch, I see and listen to news and it brings me to tears. The statistics are shocking and the numbers of COVID-19 cases are increasing daily. It is scary and the future is unknown. Here in a developed country we are struggling to deal with the disruption and our healthcare system is just about coping. But my heart bleeds for those in developing countries in Africa or war torn countries that won’t be able to cope when the virus goes out of control? Some countries lack access to medication, equipment, and hospital treatment is way beyond most people’s budgets. People often live in close proximity and poor sanitation is a major issue 🙏🏽. When you live so far away from your family, friends and the country you also call home – you worry a lot about them. At times you have sleepless nights because you know how what it is like to live in that country and the inequalities that exist.
Back here in the UK, I see a lot of media coverage on hospitals, however, there is little coverage of community or primary care services and the people who are being nursed at home or in care homes. Community or district nurses also deserve a mention and perhaps more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will help teams on the ground to feel safe and do their job.
Ironically, when World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 2020 to be the Year of Nurse and Midwife to commemorate 200 years of the birth of Florence Nightingale – no one had anticipated the crisis we are all facing. Several NHS Nightingale hospitals are being created in different parts of the country to treat Covid-19 cases. We all have to be selfless, look out after each other and also look after our own well-being.
Be safe, stay at home and take care ❤️.
PS:Headspace is offering a free mindfulness and meditation app for NHS staff until December – why don’t you try it. https://www.headspace.com/nhs
2020 has been an eventful leap year – that has changed the way we live our lives. Who could have ever thought that the first 3 months of the year would be challenged by Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis as well as :
B – Brexit which brought uncertainty between UK and Europe
C – Climate change is a wake up call for all of us to change our lifestyle and look after the environment for the sake of our future generation
C – Corona virus an unforeseen virus that has called for drastic changes ‘lockdown’ to how we live our lives and interact in our society. And caused fear, ‘panic buying’, anxiety among people, businesses and nations.
I was not planning on writing today but, I am into day 4 of self isolation and you see life differently when confined in one place! I did not realise last Tuesday was my last day to be out of the house! On Wednesday, I had a high temperature and felt lethargic. My husband was very worried. I was working from home that day and had to stay upstairs in the bedroom the whole day because he did not want any contact – he was taking precaution as advised by the NHS! Suddenly, it dawned on us that we would be on a lockdown – without any social contact !! How will we manage the next 14 days in the house with 2 children??
Oh well, thank goodness for technology and we have also been borrowing a few principles used during the 1918 Flu pandemic – Ventilating the house, washing hands, fresh air in the garden ,plenty of fluids and the sun ‘Vitamin D’ ☀. So far, we have survived 4 days – our 2 children have been home since Wednesday evening. They have been creative at times and learning new skills: painting, cooking, building a house from a cardboard box , video calling some of their friends, dancing, singing, playing a few games and watching lots of TV – I must confess!! Without a doubt there has been crying, whingeing and lots of questions!! The next few months will be life changing for families and their children – especially with no physical contact from other family members or friends. I can only imagine when I go back to work full-time as a nurse and my husband is working from home with 2 children to look after too!!
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I can tell you it’s not easy having a 12 and a half year old girl (teenager going on 30) and a 7 year old boy full of energy stuck in the house for 14 days! My daughter blames me for being stuck in the house! They both did not say bye to their friends and miss normal life – now that everything is shut or cancelled they are home indefinitely! Our children did the rainbow challenge today and hopefully more people will do it. Even my mother in law has drawn a rainbow for her window!
We are taking a day at a time, my husband is working from home and am recovering well. I am almost feeling ready to go out and play my part in assisting colleagues with the pandemic.
We take little things for granted but when in isolation suddenly you really miss doing routine things. This pandemic has brought us closer as a family, society, country and world. It is true distance makes the heart fonder – recently a friend in the US has been updating me on what is happening there and checking how we are; relatives and friends in Kenya are in touch, some working from home worried about the virus. I am scared for myself, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the world. We are not sure what the future will look like but we will get through this together.
We have realised that staying at home also means that stock in the cupboards is running low because everyone seems to be either hungry or using this and that!! We might need to adapt rationing soon.
Husband reminding everyone that the toilet roll is precious!
It is times like this when you appreciate good neighbours and friends. Today, I texted my neighbour a list of groceries to get for us because I can’t go to the shop or order online because the home delivery or click and collect slots are unavailable until April. I can’t come out of the house because I am mindful about others even though I don’t know what I have.
How I wish there was a test, which could have made it easier to know. Probably, I could have gone back some time next week to help my nursing colleagues who are already overwhelmed with the pandemic. This is my plea to our Prime minister.
Dear Mr Johnson,
More than ever, NHS needs all the help and people to fight this pandemic. However, if priority testing is not done on healthcare professionals when they are not feeling well like me. How will we contribute especially at a crucial time like this when the system is under intense pressure and needs more health care workers to cope with the demand? It would really make a big difference to me and my colleagues if testing is accessible rather than wait for 14 days of solitary.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely, N.
Lest we forget: On mother’s day or mothering Sunday – we will remember this leap year as some of you will be working tirelessly – thank you. We won’t be able to see our loved ones the way we do normally – please avoid social contact. Some of us will be lighting a candle to remember those who are no longer with us. Whichever way you choose to celebrate please remember to be sensible and stay at home.
We are living in uncertain times and each one of us needs to play a part – let us be mindful of one another, let us be kind, let us help one another ‘virtually’ and let there be love ❤️.
Neema says 