My Journey Into Occupational Health: Finding A New Direction In Nursing

When I qualified as an Adult Nurse in 2009, I never imagined that my career would eventually lead me into Occupational Health (OH). Looking back, every role I have undertaken has provided me with valuable skills and experiences that have helped shape the nurse I am today.

My nursing career began in nursing homes, where I cared for older adults with a wide range of health needs. During this time, I progressed into management and spent two and a half years working as a Care Home Manager. I then moved into a role with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), conducting Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) assessments and writing reports to support benefit decisions. Although quite different from clinical nursing, this role strengthened my assessment, report-writing and decision-making skills.

For the eight years prior to joining David Barber Occupational Health Ltd, I worked in a hospice setting providing specialist end-of-life care. It was a privilege to support patients and their families during the most difficult times in their lives. The role was incredibly rewarding, and I learned a great deal both professionally and personally.

However, over time I began to recognise the emotional impact that hospice nursing was having on me. While I remained enthusiastic about providing high-quality care, I found that the emotional demands of supporting patients and families through end-of-life care were beginning to affect my own physical and mental wellbeing. I knew I needed to consider a different direction within nursing, but I was not sure what that might be.

A friend who worked in OH suggested that I investigate the speciality. The more I learned about the role, the more interested I became. The opportunity to continue using my nursing skills while promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace really appealed to me.

I contacted David Barber OH Ltd to express my interest and sent my CV. The team arranged for me to spend time shadowing their technicians and nurses, which gave me a valuable insight into the day-to-day reality of OH. Seeing the variety of the role first-hand confirmed that it was something I wanted to pursue. Following a subsequent interview, I was delighted to be offered a position and joined in August 2025.

Although my employer is a small provider, I quickly discovered that they have exceptionally high standards. There is a real commitment to quality, and a huge amount of work takes place behind the scenes to ensure services run smoothly. The team continually develops systems, policies and procedures that support both staff and clients.

What has impressed me most, however, is the support I have received since joining the company. I have been encouraged to attend numerous OH training courses and webinars, all of which have helped me develop my knowledge and confidence within the speciality.

I also have monthly supervision sessions with a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) OH Advisor, who has been invaluable in supporting me with more complex cases and directing me towards additional learning opportunities. Alongside this, I speak with my supervisor regularly and receive feedback on my reports before they are sent to clients. The encouragement and guidance I receive have played a significant role in helping me develop within a completely new area of nursing.

My role includes conducting assessments face-to-face, by telephone and via Microsoft Teams, as well as fitness-for-work assessments, health surveillance, Hepatitis B immunisations and phlebotomy.

I am also involved in health and wellbeing clinics, providing services such as PSA testing, cholesterol checks, and blood pressure monitoring. The diversity of the role means I am constantly learning and developing new skills.

For example ESA assessments and writing reports has been particularly useful when conducting assessments and producing management reports. Likewise, my management experience has helped me understand workplace challenges from both an employee and employer perspective.

Another aspect of working for a small provider that I value is the genuine focus on staff wellbeing. As a working parent, having a healthy work-life balance is incredibly important. David Barber OH Ltd has always been supportive when it comes to family commitments, whether that means attending special events at my daughter's school or accommodating personal responsibilities. That flexibility and understanding make a difference.

My passion for OH has continued to grow, and I have recently applied for the SCPHN Occupational Health course at Derby University, with the hope of starting in September, funded by my employer. Returning to academic study after many years is a little daunting, but I am excited about the opportunity to further develop my knowledge and progress my career within the speciality.

Looking back, moving into OH has been one of the best decisions I have made. Personally, I have achieved a much better work-life balance, and professionally I have learned an enormous amount in a short space of time.

For any nurse considering a move, I would highly recommend exploring the speciality. It offers a unique opportunity to combine clinical skills, health promotion and workplace wellbeing while continuing to develop professionally. For me, it has reignited my enthusiasm for nursing, and I know it is a career that I am committed to for the long term.

Still have questions about Occupational Health as a career?

If you are interested and would like to speak to a person, you can contact Janet O'Neill directly here.