Registered Nurse Sandra Sah works in the NECS Consultancy team. On Nurses Day 2023 she talks about how her experience as a nurse has been invaluable to her role and how she brings collaboration between patients and clinical colleagues.
“As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a nurse. I am really proud, and somewhat shocked, to this year be celebrating 40 years as a Registered Nurse – how the time has flown!
“I moved into nursing straight from school and completed my training at Hartlepool General Hospital. I had been selected to join the armed forces nursing core, but I was so keen I didn’t want to wait the six months enrolment period. I was inspired to become a nurse as a child after my grandfather suffered a stroke, which significantly changed my family life.
“For 40 years I’ve loved the variety of nursing; the many patients I have cared for and colleagues I’ve worked with across a wide range of experience, working in acute and community services, primary and secondary care. I have acquired a diverse range of skills, experience and knowledge, including expert training and gaining a BSc and MBA.
“I started my career working in Trauma and Orthopaedics and progressed from patient-facing roles as a Staff Nurse and Sister to involvement in clinical management, pathway re-design and service transformation. I have been fortunate enough to work in a wide variety of clinical areas: pre-operative assessment, day surgery, outpatients, community nursing, urgent and emergency care, out of hours service and ICU. I have contributed to system improvements, both local and national, which at the time were innovative and cutting edge, but have since become integral to meeting the health needs of the population – including the national booked admission project, national 111 pilot; development of WiCs and UTCs, transformation of community services and transformation of the surgical pathway.
“Joining NECS seemed like the next step in a natural transition. I joined the Consultancy team which has provided a great opportunity to work all over the country, from the North East and North West to the South West and Northern Ireland.
“I’m now a Principal Consultant, based in the North East regional team, and have worked on numerous interesting and challenging projects as a SME (subject matter expert) and programme manager, including System balance, COVID vaccination, LeDeR review, Elective care recovery and reform and urgent and emergency care programmes.
“My experience as a nurse has been invaluable in bringing an understanding of the patient point of view and collaborating with clinical colleagues both in customer organisations and NECS. I feel NECS supports and values me for my nursing background which provides a significant customer benefit to NECS and helps differentiate us from other consultancies.
“Maintaining my status as a Registered Nurse is hugely important to me personally and professionally and NECS has been very supportive, helping me to maintain my registration, allowing time for clinical practice and supervision.