Diversity and inclusion should be embedded in all decisions that are made
We caught up with Amina Osman who is currently seconded to the role of Matron in the medicine division and she talks to us about her career journey and progressing to band 8A role.
Hi Amina, so how long have you been working at Barts Health?
I have been working at the Trust for 10 years now.
When were you promoted and what role were you promoted from?
I was promoted in March 2021. Prior to that I was a band 7 for nearly three years before being promoted.
How would you describe your career journey?
My journey at Whipps started off bumpy, when i wasn't given the job i applied for as a newly qualified nurse after training here! However, I had support from those that believed in me when I felt that the system was unfair to me. With their support I eventually secured a job here after my training and they helped me to believe in myself again. Before applying for a permanent role here, I was a student nurse at Whipps, mainly working in the medicine division.
After securing my permanent role I worked on the respiratory ward and focussed on my development and improving my confidence.
I didn’t see myself moving up and didn’t have the hope or confidence to do so. There were obstacles in my development, but I managed to find ways to support myself.
After six years as a band 5, I managed to gain the confidence to apply for a band 6 role and within eight months promoted to a band 7. I supported the ward manager in her absence for around eight months, which allowed me to develop the necessary skills to progress in my career. So if you are wanting to progress in your career and you are presented with opportunities like this - go for it!
What is your ethnicity/race and why is it important to you?
I am from Somalia and identify as black African and it is important to me because that’s who I am, that is my identify that cannot be changed. And the possibility that this could ever be a disadvantage is very sad.
What are your thoughts on the relationship between career progression and race/ethnicity?
I feel like there is a glass ceiling and it's difficult to progress in certain times/places.
The systems of progression isn’t necessary designed for minorities and it’s encouraging to see the Trust acknowledge this and make progress in trying to change it.
What are some of the ways you think organisations such as the NHS can further address inclusivity in this regard?
By understanding the workforce and appreciating the diversity and different cultures. Diversity and inclusion should be embedded in all decisions that are made.
What is your advice for staff from similar backgrounds who also want to progress to senior levels in their careers?
Reach out and connect to BME leaders. Don’t give up on your dreams and goals. Focus on your development and reflect on your own obstacles and the wider obstacles in front of you, and work on how you can overcome them. There is always another door you can go through other than the obvious one or the one directly in front of you.
Know and understand the system and sometimes the politics involved. Some may disagree or want to believe there are no barriers, but there are. The first step is acknowledging the issue before we can ever make real, meaningful and lasting change.
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