Why I Became An Occupational Health Nurse

Janet O’Neill (another contributor for Nurses.co.uk) at work in Occupational Health.

As part of our mission to explain the many job roles in Occupational Health, we are working with the National School of Occupational Health, to lift the lid on the different career pathways available. Here, OH Nurse, Ann-Marie, explains her career journey.

Ann-Marie Adiku:

I'm an Occupational Health Nurse within the OH service of Northwick Park Hospital, London Northwest University Healthcare NHS Trust. This is my OH career story...

How My Journey Began

My journey to occupational health (OH) began in 2021. My skin condition had flared up to the point where it became difficult to work safely and effectively as a nurse in a clinical setting with patients. I became a patient, under the care of Dr Shriti Pattani (Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) Immediate Past President) and an amazing team of nurses.

It was a period where, although I felt discouraged about my nursing journey, I witnessed how OH advocated for me and supported me through a challenging time.

Amid the pandemic, I felt seen and heard. After several appointments and meetings, I was redeployed from the ward setting to clinical duties supporting the COVID help desk in OH. My redeployment exposed me to how OH contributed to and supported the health and wellbeing of NHS employees in the workplace and how this improves their quality of working life and patient care, showing that it is an area essential for everyone. 

Being Part Of A Team

With time and reduced exposure to recurrent handwashing, my skin condition began to improve and respond to treatment which meant I could consider adjusting to clinical duties.

However, after witnessing and experiencing the care of OH, I began to wonder about a career in OH which I had never considered previously. Fortunately, a job opportunity presented itself which I decided to go for and was successful at the interview.

Being part of the team, I can see things in the workplace from a different perspective, a preventative aspect. Occupational health (OH) is a fulfilling place to work, encouraging health promotion and advocating for healthcare professionals. As my experience in OH is developing I have realised the progress and success I can enjoy at the frontiers of Public Health. 

Back To School

Through the NHS Growing Occupational Health & Wellbeing programme, I was given the opportunity to complete a two-week diploma course in OH practice with the Faculty of Occupational Health Medicine (FOM). This deepened my knowledge; it was a privilege to learn from a variety of OH professionals with years of experience and to be taught alongside other aspiring OH nurses of different bandings and skill sets. This reinforced the benefits of pursuing an OH career.

OH makes a tangible difference to work and health. If you are looking for a career in OH, whether as a nurse or AHP, have a look and consider a mentor to guide and support your decision

Subsequently, I continued to build my career and in September 2023, I enrolled at Brunel University to complete the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) PgDip. Going back to university has been a positive experience. Although there are challenges that come with working and studying full-time, I am fortunate to have the support of my workplace and family which has been a great source of guidance and encouragement.

Within the course, I have been privileged to have the opportunity to be taught by internal and external educators, and the knowledge gained has informed my evidence-based practice, thus improving and extending the scope of my professional practice. 

Why I Promote OH Careers

I have gained a deep appreciation and understanding of what people in need of such services are experiencing, as well as a respect and admiration for OH professionals. Through my ongoing learning from the SCPHN course, I hope to have a positive and supportive impact on the lives of those in the workplace, as I have experienced through my own experience with OH. 

OH makes a tangible difference to work and health. If you are looking for a career in OH, whether as a nurse or AHP, have a look and consider a mentor to guide and support your decision if it is right for you try our free mentoring service and choose a mentor here Mentoring (ohcareers.info).

Next Steps

- If you are looking for a career in OH, whether as a nurse or AHP, have a look and consider a mentor to guide and support your decision and if right for you – see Mentoring (ohcareers.info).

- And of course, read more about Occupational Health on our page here on Nurses.co.uk

- If you would like to know more, there is an OH conference in Wales on the 24th of April

- And an introduction to Occupational Health on the afternoon of the 1st of July

- Read Janet O'Neill's story, Why I Chose Occupational Health as a Nursing Career Move

- Browse Occupational Health jobs here on Nurses.co.uk

- Browse Occupational Health Nurse jobs here on Nurses.co.uk

Please note, the bulk of this blog first appeared within the Society of Occupational Health website.