Name: Jeanne Poblacion
Job title: Matron/Lead Nurse, Endoscopy
Age: 49
Nation of birth: The Philippines
Qualifications: Fully qualified nurse
Why did you move to Bradford? I was born and qualified as a nurse in the Philippines. But, like all nurses there, I was under-rated and underpaid. I later had three small children but wanted to give them a better future. So when a nursing job came up at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, I took it and the whole family moved over.
We spent five years in Saudi Arabia and I worked with lots of lovely people and gained lots of knowledge. It made me a better person.
In the hospital I worked with a lot of British nationals, including a colleague who had been born in Bradford and kept telling me about how lovely it was. I later found out about a recruitment event in Bahrain which was offering jobs at hospitals in London and Bradford. I went, secured a job here at the Trust and we arrived as a family in Bradford in 2004. I have never regretted it.
How long have you worked at BTHFT for? I’ve worked at the Trust for over 15 years now.
What do you do? I originally worked on the Elderly Unit as a Staff Nurse for nine-and-a-half years before becoming a junior and then senior sister. I’m currently the Matron or Lead Nurse on the Endoscopy ward.
My role is to oversee the admin, nursing and operational side of things. I didn’t foresee myself doing this job but I am very happy. It’s about having a worth ethic and discipline and looking after people – both patients and staff. I can see myself continuing in this role but if another opportunity knocks, I will look at it.