'Nursing matched the way I usually care for people - organising them and being bossy!'

Why did you decide to become a nurse?

I thought nursing would provide me with a fulfilling long career; it seemed a natural path as it matched my character traits of caring for people, organising them and being bossy!

Where did you train?

I trained in general nursing at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, then in paediatrics and paediatric intensive care at Guy’s Hospital, London.

What was your first job in nursing?

As a staff nurse on a paediatric general surgical ward.

What is the trait you least like in yourself and why?

I rarely enjoy the “now”, so, rather than acknowledge what I am doing or what I have achieved, I never feel I have done enough and believe I have to prove myself all the time.

From whom have you learnt the most in your career?

This is hard as there have been so many. So, some examples: a friend who changed career to become a nurse and wants nothing more than to stay at the bedside and care for patients for the rest of her career; a ward sister who taught me how to lead and how to let others shine; a colleague who gave up her comfortable life to work in Afghanistan. They are inspiring people who are truly committed to making a difference.

What advice would you give someone starting out?

Choose to be a nurse for the right reasons - to care for people, and to provide a unique role in the healthcare team.

What keeps you awake?

The rare times I can’t sleep it’s usually because I have a difficult meeting or big presentation to give and I constantly run through what I am going to say; the following night, I keep running through what I said.

What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

As a director, it is leading staff through significant change with kindness. For my national role, it is providing advice that helps people make care safer.

What’s your proudest achievement?

Apart from qualifying as a nurse, I am proud to have achieved a doctorate in patient safety while working full time.

If you could change one thing in healthcare, what would it be?

The use of acronyms. They are confusing and can even shift the power balance for those who know what they mean and those too frightened to ask. That’s even before we talk about the risks associated with using them in clinical care.

What would your ideal weekend involve?

Coming from the country, I long for trees. Coming from a sailing family, I long for water. Coming from a childhood full of animals, I long for a dog to walk. So it would be to combine all three.

If you could spend an hour in someone’s company, who would it be and why?

Camila Batmanghelidjh who is the founder of two children charities, The Place 2 Be and Kids Company. A true inspiration.

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