60 Seconds With… Rohit Sagoo
RCNi’s new national nursing event, Nursing Live, is being developed in partnership with an advisory board made up of nurses, clinical experts, and other healthcare practitioners, from a wide variety of backgrounds.
We caught up with advisory board member Rohit Sagoo, children’s nurse and founder of British Sikh Nurses, and asked him about his career, his views on the profession, and why he’s supporting Nursing Live.
How and why did you become a nurse?
I became a nurse to care for strangers and make them feel cared for. We can all care for our loved ones, but caring for someone you don’t know makes it special. Children’s nursing appealed to me because of the unique nature of child growth and development, and the wider impact it has on families.
What inspires you most about nurses and the nursing profession?
The duty of care beyond the profession and going the extra mile. Nursing embodies a sense of humanity, and personifies emotional intelligence, compassion, caring, and support for others. That’s also why we are the most trusted profession in the world.
What is the biggest challenge nurses are facing?
Aside from the fact that UK nurses are not paid enough, and that the profession needs more respect, it’s the recognition that nursing is a global workforce. By working together with international colleagues, we can enhance our practice with innovation, creativity and transferable skills from many different cultures and perspectives.
Who do you admire most within the nursing profession and why?
The cliché would be Florence Nightingale, but from Mary Seacole to Sue Tranka, the first South Asian Chief Nursing Officer, there have been many trailblazers and inspirational leaders from across the globe. But all nurses make a difference - from those on our TV screens like Ruth May to those who are on the wards or the frontline – and all deserve admiration.
What is the most rewarding part of the nursing profession?
Even just having a conversation with someone can help transform their health journey, so knowing that you’ve made a massive difference to both a patient and their family as they get well is extremely rewarding. Being respected by patients and the wider public is also very satisfying. I also find personally there is a strong spiritual reward for what we do.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Always have the courage and don’t be afraid of taking risks. When I started British Sikh Nurses, there were risks and challenges along the way, but it’s about being bold and doing what you think is right for the benefit of your community and our wider society.
As nurses we often hide behind our successes, but even small interventions can ripple out and make massive differences. So we shouldn’t be afraid to shout out loud about what we do, and be recognised for the positive impacts we make.
Do you have a message for nurses?
I know that there are challenges for nurses around pay, but we can’t lose sight of why we entered the profession in the first place. But while retaining that core motivation is key, policymakers need reminding that we can’t be taken for granted. After all, everyone will rely on a nurse at some point in their lives, so we should be treated with the respect and dignity we deserve.
What are your reasons for wanting to be involved with Nursing Live?
From professional development to personal well-being, nursing has always benefitted from having spaces which help them to develop, grow and meet other nurses. The pandemic stopped a lot of that activity, especially in a face-to-face environment. Nursing Live is seeking to address that, and it’s a privilege to be a part of the inaugural event.