A Few Minutes With…Dana Oliver, Head of Nursing for the Surgery
We spent a few minutes with Dana Oliver,
Head of Nursing talking about her careers, from horses to children.
In a nutshell, explain what your job entails?
I am Head of Nursing for the Surgery A Clinical group. The group is made up of multiple specialities which span across all age groups, from neonatal surgery to older children undergoing complex surgical procedures. My job is varied and includes leading a team of nurses and the management of eight wards, the play and youth service, pre -admissions and a number of surgical clinical nurse specialist teams.
What achievement are you most proud of (so far)?
I am so proud to be a nurse and to have represented the Trust over the years on local and national nursing projects. I think my proudest achievements are the patients and families I have supported over my 25 years across the Children’s Hospital and the Women’s Hospital. I am incredibly proud of the world leading care in complex surgical specialities.
I am also proud to have undertaken a MSc in Nursing and Leadership during the COVID pandemic. This was incredibly hard, as it happened less than 12 months in to my studies but I am proud that I continued with it.
My MSc research provided a systemic review of Paediatric Early Warning Scores (PEWS), which is a national standardised approach of tracking the deterioration of children in hospital .
It showed how parental instinct can predict when a child’s condition deteriorates and how both the parent and nurse work in partnership leading to better patient outcomes before they decline.
Why did you choose your career?
My first memories of growing up were visiting my mother on the ward where she worked , handing out Christmas gifts to the elderly patients. I remember at a young age, how simple acts of kindness my mum demonstrated greatly helped in making a patient feel valued. My mother sadly passed away in 2009, I hold those early memories of her close.
She greatly influenced my career choice when I switched from a horse-riding instructor and amateur jockey in the late 1990s .
Who would you say was your inspiration?
My greatest influences growing up were very much sportswomen who were leading their way in their chosen sport (mostly horsey people). They included Diana Clay, who was a leading women’s British jockey in the 80s) who came from my home city of Stoke-on-Trent and Mary King, who has only just retired this year at the age of 64.
Professionally, I am inspired by those that I have watched progress over the years. From young student nurses towards taking on more advanced nursing roles. Many are still here and when I hear about their achievements, this makes me so proud.
If there was one thing you could change in the world, what would it be?
Kindness - I wish we all slowed down in this fast-paced world to consider three things :
Think about and understand the words that we say .
Consider the actions that we take
The impact this may have on the lives of others. Take time and value in giving ourselves time to reflect an all three things .
Describe yourself in three words?
Smiley, reliable, calm in any situation .
Finally, not a l ot of people know this about me but…
I had a previous successful career in the horse - world and took a complete change in direction after taking a leap into the unknown.