To celebrate international nurses day we spoke to Tracey, associate director of operations at CUH, to hear about their journey to CUH.
Tell us a bit about your CUH journey – when did you join, what positions have you held here?
I trained here from 1983 becoming an RN in 1986. I worked as a staff nurse & junior sister in medicine and surgery, then becoming the senior sister of the medical assessment unit. From there I became a matron in medicine, also doing a 6 month secondment into an operational role. I then acted up into the divisional head of nursing role in medicine before moving to the same role, but substantively, in division B when the divisional structure changed. When the division’s ADO went on a secondment I acted into her role then when she left was appointed to it substantively. I have benefited hugely from applying for and taking up secondments, trying out new roles and gaining experience that way.
During my time at CUH I’ve been lucky enough to be supported to complete my degree and then masters in healthcare management. I have also been able to volunteer in Botswana and the Philippines with CGHP, something that I feel has really enhanced my development.
Making a difference for patients - I’d like to think that in whatever role I’m in I still do this. Being a nurse still underpins what I do – I still describe myself as a nurse to people who don’t know me/my role well.
How does your role benefit patients?
My role as part of the divisional leadership team is to co-ordinate the delivery of the operational performance of the division. This includes the delivery of high quality patient care, corporate and clinical governance, patient safety, clinical quality and achievement of operational and financial targets. I also lead the business planning and implementation of the Trust’s corporate objectives within the division alongside the divisional director.
In simple terms it is often about managing approval processes and signing things off e.g. staff forms, Oracle orders to make sure that our patients get the care and equipment they need in a timely way, but that this happens within the allocated budget. Sometimes it is about making the financial case for more resource if we feel that patients are not getting the care they need. Another ADO role is conducting disciplinary hearings in a way that supports patient safety and staff experience.
How does being a nurse make a difference in how you carry out your role?
It help me remember that all of our business and operational decisions should be patient focused and not financially or otherwise motivated.
Thinking about the nursing profession, what are you most proud of?
Making a difference for patients - I’d like to think that in whatever role I’m in I still do this. Being a nurse still underpins what I do – I still describe myself as a nurse to people who don’t know me/my role well.