I emigrated to the UK from Trinidad and Tobago 25 years ago to attend university. Leaving my family was a life changing decision, and I had to draw upon my self-belief and resilience to navigate this new life. I still remember my first day of university – it was -2° and I remember asking myself ‘what have I done?’. I thought I could have been on a beach in the blazing heat, instead of sitting on the bus in the freezing weather – I had to come to terms very quickly with the nuances of British weather.
My story also involves acknowledging my mother who sadly passed away six months before I qualified as a registered nurse. She was a huge influence on me and was the first person I told how I wanted to travel to the UK to pursue my nursing education. My mother encouraged me to always do my best, stand up for what’s right, follow my dreams, remember who I am and use common sense. We stayed connected by writing letters and occasional phone calls. The day I qualified was a sombre one, as I never had the chance to tell her I achieved my dream of becoming a nurse; however, over the years I have used this negative experience to be the best version of me.
I have worked at UHL for 22 years – during this time I have grown both personally and professionally and, on many occasions, had to step out of my comfort zone to achieve my goals.
My first job was as a coronary care nurse, before becoming a deputy sister in cardiology for 12 years. I then became a ward sister in urology, as well as in the surgical assessment unit, breast surgery and the Emergency Decision Unit (EDU), before becoming a matron in the Emergency Department (ED), and now currently in gynaecology. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities of working at all three hospital sites where I have experienced the varied dynamics and diverse ways of working with a variety of colleagues, all of which has given me the emotional intelligence to be a good leader and role model to others.
Working as a nurse over the years has been a positive experience, however along my career there were also negatives – during my second year as a student, a patient commented that I ‘must be happy to be wearing clothes and shoes since coming to the UK’. Career progression felt negative at times, when staff who had less experience progressed faster and were given opportunities which enabled them to advance in their careers. I had to work harder to gain respect as a credible leader, including changing specialities and directorates to progress from a deputy sister to ward sister and now as a matron.
This Black History Month, I want to reclaim the narrative that I am more than just a colour – being black doesn’t automatically equate to a story of deprivation, but one of strength, intelligence, a rich heritage, and authenticity that has enriched a society past, present and will do so in the future.