Meet Dawn Collins, Director of Nursing at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Can you tell me about your background and what led you to pursue a career in the NHS?
I am a General Nurse
What does a typical day look like for you in your current role?
Supporting staff and teams with improving physical health for our patients
Professional questions:
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Making a difference to the Physical Health and Wellbeing of the people we serve.
What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
Managing competing priorities and time demands
How do you manage work-life balance given the demands of your job?
Good planning and diary management
Can you share a memorable experience or patient interaction that had a significant impact on you?
There are so many patients who touch your life in such special ways, you never forget them and carry them with us everyday
How has the NHS changed since you first started working here?
It’s busier, patient acuity and complexity higher, technology has rapidly advanced clinical care
What skills or qualities do you think are essential for success in your field?
Resilience, courage, kindness and humility
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in the NHS?
Do it, huge variety of career opportunities, though Nursing is still the best profession on earth
Food and nutrition:
How do you ensure you maintain a healthy diet despite your busy schedule?
Weekly meal planning
How do you usually plan your meals given your busy schedule?
Weekly planning, linked to a weekly food shop
What kind of meals do you typically eat during your work shifts?
Homemade packed dinners
Are there any specific foods or snacks you find particularly helpful for sustaining your energy during long shifts?
I use my slow cooker at least three times a week. I do a lot of batch cooking, then can take curry’s, chilli’s, stews, soups to work in a food flask.
What’s your favourite dinnertime meal?
My Chicken Curry!
Check out Dawn’s Chicken Curry – here!
