Hear from Rob: Wellbeing Nurse at Sheffield Walk-In Centre
At OneMedicare, the healthcare delivery arm of OneMedical Group, career journeys can take unexpected and inspiring paths. Rob Dickinson is a great example, starting out at Sheffield Walk-in Centre (SWIC) as a Security Guard back in 2013, he’s now a Wellbeing Nurse who set up and leads the Centre’s Wellbeing Service. His story shows how, with determination and the right support, it’s possible to grow and completely transform your career here.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I started at Sheffield Walk In Centre as an agency security guard in August 2013. When a Patient Navigator post became available at SWIC I applied, and was successful, with my first shift on reception on New Year’s Day 2014. It was a busy day, but that gave me a great chance to get comfortable working with the system.
It was great to have the reassurance of a full-time, employed role. And it turned out I needed it, because not long after I found out I was going to be a dad! I had left school with fairly poor grades, so I decided to go back into education to change that. In 2018, I became a Patient Advisor at SWIC while studying a foundation degree in Professional Practice, I then became a Healthcare Advisor. The foundation degree led into year two of the Adult Nursing bachelor’s degree.
The management at SWIC at the time, were so supportive, and kept me going to complete the degree. After achieving my Adult Nursing degree, I started my Wellbeing Nurse role, and set up the Wellbeing Service at the Centre. I also became the local Safeguarding Lead.
What do you like most about your role?
Definitely the people! I think you can fall in love with a job, and I’ve fallen in love with this one. I have a lot of loyalty to the Centre. It has come a long way since I first started working here nine years ago.
What’s next for you?
I feel very fortunate that I got to change my career the way I have. It’s hard to move from a security role into nursing. I wouldn’t be where I am without the support from the management team and my colleagues; I’m so grateful to them for taking the chance on me. I’d like to be here for another ten years!
I’d like to develop more in management and leadership. Looking at what the service needs right now, it would also be great to look at becoming a social prescriber, or doing a prescribing course to be able to prescribe mental health medication.
I’m a strong believer that whatever happens, happens. My path has been very different to anyone else at the walk-in centre. I hope to keep enjoying myself in my role and see what opportunities come up, and go from there.