Leadership Stories
Janet O’Neill OH Nurse specialist, Deputy Head of NSOH and Head of PAM Academy PAM Group; Director of CPD and trustee iOH
How did you get here?
I have never shied away from a challenge. I may be scared or nervous, but that is not a barrier. I can’t say I have ever made a five or ten-year plan, I’ve always gone with opportunities that have presented themselves. I think this may have something to do with having a few ADHD traits which lend themselves to spontaneity, plus a feeling of not wanting to let people down. I find it satisfying to help in some way so strive to do so. I also have a marked sense of curiosity and a need to test or challenge myself. Proving I can do something is very important to me and I believe it is this which has been a marked driver in my career.
Nursing was a curve ball occupation and not one I had planned at all. In fact, I would have laughed if someone had suggested it six months before finishing school. However, university was not an option as it was full fee paying and my parents couldn’t afford it. No loans in those days. So, three months before finishing school, my dad encouraged me into nursing. And I loved it. I fell into OH early in my career and then moved back when my children were older.
What inspired me to move up in OH was a sense of restlessness. I felt I had reached my level doing day-to-day work and was stagnating. However, I didn’t have the knowledge or confidence to do more in that role. I therefore looked for another role and found one that promised development in an area of interest. However, I realised my worth when my boss at the time, promised to fund further education (I had by this time two OH qualifications already) and consider promotion, if I stayed, a promise she honoured. The MSc in Workplace Health and Wellbeing was a pivotal point in my development. I’m not saying I was an excellent student, but it helped me understand the bigger picture, how to research to substantiate a point and how to horizon scan.
I gained confidence in trying new things and not to feel beaten if it didn’t work. As I grew, so did the network of people I met which helped me to realise the bigger world out there of OH. On reflection part of this was joining SOM as soon as membership opened for nurses. Very self-conscious as a nurse in the beginning, but the welcome and frankly the knowledge I gained gave me confidence, not forgetting the mentorship of Professor Anne Harriss.
Can you share some unexpected twists and turns?
Life is full of twists and turns or what I consider opportunities. Everything that happens is either a learning point or a door opening to opportunity. I’ve had personal difficulty but, if anything, that made me stronger and keener to prove myself to myself. This is probably why I volunteer outside of my day-to-day role. Being interested, needing to learn plus having an eye on what I think is right, helps through those tornadoes of life. Everything passes and what we are worried about now will be a distant memory before we know it.
How have you balanced your life outside of work alongside your career?
I’m a keen ice-skater and always make time for ice skating and friends. Ice-skating has an amazing community who come together regardless of what anyone does for work or career. So supportive and so much fun. This helps me to see the bigger picture in life as does a very close-knit family and a few close-knit friends. Nothing like camping to keep you grounded.
What routines or habits contribute to your personal and professional growth?
Waking up early works for me. I’m fortunate enough to still have my parents and living next door means I can play out my daily 5am ritual of a coffee and a chat. A walk up and down the hill litter picking also sets me up for the day. These help me to keep abreast of what’s happening in the family and give me time to reflect on the day ahead. Chatting to mum always helps to put things in perspective.
How do you manage balancing short term and long-term needs, goals and priorities?
I have a to do list as does everyone, but those ADHD traits, mean I often procrastinate, go off piste, or down a rabbit hole, following what interests me. Unfortunately, most things interest me so keeping this in check is a constant battle. My priority is whichever deadline is coming up soonest or whichever item interests me the most. Very fortunately, my role at the NSOH is one of great flexibility as it is project driven. That means I can follow what interests me as long as it marries with our mission of quality in education and training and developing the OH workforce. Similarly with PAM Academy, where education and training are key. My long-term priorities fit with those roles, but working on short term priorities inches towards the long-term priority. I also believe in education and training for myself. For example, I’m currently undertaking a PGCHE which will help me have a deeper understanding of the challenges in education and training as well as the solutions.