josephine powell

Hello everyone, As a long-time neonatal nurse and advanced practitioner with roots in Oxford and footprints across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, I’ve finally found the courage to share part of my journey publicly. I recently wrote a piece titled: “From Canvas Cots to Clinical Leadership”, reflecting on 30+ years of neonatal work — from rural clinics and transitional wards to advanced NICUs and global QIPs. It touches on: Building leadership without formal authority Lessons from setting up family-centred models of care Navigating international systems, illness, and personal resilience And remembering why we began this journey in the first place I thought it might resonate with fellow neonatal professionals here on 99nicu. ⸻ ✍🏾 Article Body: In the early days of my nursing career, I found myself tending to fragile newborns lying in canvas cots — improvised solutions in resource-limited settings where every life depended on creativity, conviction, and compassion. That was the beginning of a journey that would take me across continents — from rural clinics in Ghana and the jungles of Vietnam, to the high-tech corridors of Sidra Medicine in Qatar and the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Along the way, my mission evolved, but my core remained the same: “Every baby should be a wanted baby — and all wanted babies should be saved.” 👣 The Path Was Never Straightforward There were moments of awe and pride — like helping implement early breastmilk initiation protocols, or creating a discharge planning toolkit for complex NICU cases. And there were deeply painful ones too — illness, burnout, under-recognition, and the feeling of being silenced while advocating for safer systems. But I’ve learned that clinical leadership isn’t always a title. Sometimes, it’s the quiet insistence during handover. The audit that shows patterns no one wants to see. The lone voice pushing for zero separation. The refusal to accept that “this is just how it’s always been.” 🔄 From Bedside to Boardroom (and Back Again) I’ve moved between clinical practice, training, QIPs, and public health — designing interventions that centre families, rethinking workflows, and embedding equity into neonatal systems. These are the lessons I carry: • Start small — big changes often begin with a post-it note or a kind word. • Storytelling matters — data opens doors, but stories move hearts. • Lift others — it’s not leadership if you’re walking alone. • Don’t forget where you started — especially when you’re finally being heard. ✨ And Now… I write this from my home in Oxfordshire, back where I began — reflecting, regrouping, and looking ahead. This isn’t just a personal story. It’s an invitation to others who’ve walked this path. Have you ever looked back and realised how far you’ve come — and how much further you’re meant to go? Let’s talk. Let’s change what needs changing. Together. 💬 I’d love to hear: What shaped your own NICU journey? How do you use your voice in quality improvement or care redesign? What small action made a big impact in your team? Warm wishes from Oxfordshire, Josephine Nana Abena Powell Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner | Clinical Educator | Global Health Clinician

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