Nova Quian - Matron

Tell us a bit about your CUH journey – when did you join, what positions have you held here?

I came to UK on winter of 2000. I have been a nurse in the Philippines for 9 years. I started as a C grade (Band 3/OSCE) in the dialysis unit on site. I received my NMC registration after 6 months.

I am not scared to ask questions if I don’t understand what my colleagues and patients have said to me or ask me to do for them and this has taught me BIG TIME!

I stayed as a band 5 for 7 years, I did the Renal course and had received a good score from the 2 essays that I submitted, thanks to the support and help of my colleagues.

My matron then encourage me to do the Renal Course saying “I want you to do the renal course as I can see a potential for you to be a good band 6”. I took and passed the renal course. Went for a band 6 interview and was successful.

I have done few study and one of them is a 3 months course in teaching in CRC of which I passed, I enjoyed teaching staff, patients and relatives to empower people to managed their chronic disease.

I stayed as band 6 for few years then my matron again asked me to cover the home haemodialysis, of which I was expected to look after patients on haemodialysis at home.

I managed the patients and relatives needs and given them the care they need away from the hospital. I always enjoy working with people and built a professional working relationship with patients and relatives.

Whilst I was doing this, I was also asked to provide support to the ward manager in the satellite dialysis unit. With my expertise on my chosen field I was able to offer my knowledge and skills to the present ward manager in that unit.

My matron then again asked me to apply for a ward manager post in the same area (Haemodialysis Unit), I was again successful. I am very lucky that I am successful on all the jobs that I applied for. I hope my colleagues that I work closely understand why I was successful!

In January of 2015, the matron in post decided to venture out of CUH. She asked me to apply for the matrons job to replaced her. I went for it and was appointed again. Lucky me! There was 5 senior colleagues in the interview panel. I must say that I have prepared myself for this job, from writing my application form to interview. I have done a lot of reading, done plenty of practice and had mock interview with the previous matron to make sure that I will deliver and show my experienced to the panel.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I always wanted to be a nurse, there’s nothing in this world that I would rather be. I enjoy working with people and sharing my experienced. I love listening to people too, I love hearing stories, wether it’s happy, sad or exciting stories.

I am passionate in helping people, I get more job satisfaction when I work closely with my staff in looking after patients in the ward. Staff look up to their matrons, one staff member recently have told me that I was the one who encouraged her to become a nurse apprentice, she will be a qualified nurse next month.

She sent me a letter saying how grateful she was when we met in the ward and when we worked together in giving personal care to our older patients. It has opened her eyes and had a better understanding that as a nurse we are always ready to provide care to our patients even when we are in a senior nursing role. This is the biggest encouragement she has as a HCSW.

What advice would you give to someone who is starting their nursing career journey?

• Be inquisitive and ask questions.
• Always use reflection to be a better nurse and a better person.
• Read and learn from your experience
• Be always ready for feedback and criticism but do not let people abuse your kindness. Stand up for yourself with humility
• Enjoy what you do
• Speak to people around you in a courteous way, be kind to yourself and to people around you. It will take you a long way.
• Treat every people all the same.