Career role model: Jazzi Chopra-Povall
I remember as a young girl being in hospital with ear problems and having surgery. Seeing what the nurses were doing and how caring they were inspired me to want to be one, hence choosing to be a nurse.
Jazzi is the Divisional Director of Quality & Nursing - Surgery
What was your first job?
Working in a butchers on the Delicatessen counter
Why this specialty?
The acuity, the pace, the benefits surgery can give to patients were all factors that led me to this specialty. Intensive Care is my main background but the entire system of how the specialties work, how the division operates within a wider, bigger system really gives a breadth of understanding to how patients get from being at home, to surgery, recovery and back home – the pathway journey.
Can you outline your path to promotion?
From the above career pathway, I have always had an ambition to learn and find out more about the specialty, the division, the Trust, the system. I have had a vision of becoming a Chief Nurse one day and have planned my pathway towards that journey whilst obtaining a rounded set of skills and knowledge to equip me for this role.
What role, if any, do you think that your race or ethnicity has played in your career progression?
I’d be lying if I said my race or ethnicity hasn’t played a part in my career progression. It has. The fact that I have seen others surpass me in progressing at far younger years tells you something. Most senior staff are older than me yet I may have more breadth of experience. So YES, it has made a difference. My language, my culture and upbringing are different to the non-ethnic person and even to the overseas ethnic person. So sometimes this impacts how I think or say things that can sometimes be perceived differently to what is being articulated. This can be hard sometimes, but never forget who you are, be proud of that and hold yourself high and keep going. You are ‘unique’.
Did you have a mentor or role model?
Yes, I have a coach and mentor outside of the Trust and this is really important. It’s a safe space to discuss and work through things that might be worrying you. I would advise everyone to have a mentor or coach irrespective of your grade, it’s a good way to develop with guidance with a safe space to explore out of the box ideas.
Do you have any tips for interviews and career progression?
Preparation is key, learn and research the role, provider and the people you will be working with. Understand the priorities for that role/specialty/division. Practice in a mock interview mode, it’s uncomfortable but if set up as if real, is helpful. Sell yourself, your personality, your enthusiasm, commitment, ambition. Be aware of your learning needs and use examples to articulate your responses….and always, always get feedback (make sure it is constructive) and then use your learning from this as your goal to nail the next interview…..DON’T GIVE UP.
What qualities are essential in your position?
Honesty, Trust, Listening and being Fair with compassion are important. Compassion isn’t just about being nice but also about being brave to honestly help staff with how they develop in areas required.
Why have you chosen to work in Gloucestershire?
I had already worked in all the hospitals in the Midlands (where I live), I wanted somewhere new but still accessible. Gloucester is accessible by train, it has great surroundings and there is so much opportunity to make a difference.
Please sum yourself up in 3 words or phrases
Credible, Visionary, Committed to encouraging Inclusivity
As an Asian female, the promotions have not come easy. Yes, I have had many knock backs and had to try harder than many of my counterparts; however, I have always told myself I am just as good as those who have surpassed me. I told myself ‘Never to give up and never let anyone say you are not good enough’ – believe in yourself and do what you need to gain the skills to bridge the gap and move forward.
Jazzi Chopra-Povall, Divisional Director of Quality & Nursing