Ms Viviane Alves de Oliveira
Viviane started her journey within the NHS in 2011 as a Healthcare Assistant. Viviane qualified as an Adult Nurse from London Southbank University in 2017. Her first post after being qualified was as a Staff Nurse on a medical oncology ward, providing specialist inpatient care for patients with various types of cancer, where they present with significant need for symptom control.
Viviane was later promoted to Senior Staff Nurse and then Deputy Sister. She then started developing her leadership skills, supporting her line manager, assisting in managing and developing colleagues – in particular junior members of staff. When coordinating shifts in her role as Deputy Sister, Viviane also managed both oncology wards with a total of 60 beds.
In her current post as a Deputy Sister, Viviane acts as a role model by promoting, demonstrating and maintaining the standard of care by attaining professional standard and best practice. As a result, Viviane understands how the ward is safely managed, delegating roles to nurses and auxiliary staff as well as supporting them on their tasks.
Viviane is also the lead nurse for the nursing students. This is a role Viviane really enjoys as she feels it is important to support and guide students for them to excel as professionals.
In order to provide safe care to patients, there is a need for practice change. The most recent change that Viviane has implemented was the safety handover, huddle and ‘buddie round’. These have improved staff morale, promoted better team working and reduced hierarchy.
Reason for applying for the scheme
The outbreak of the coronavirus challenged Viviane’s practice in many ways as she was redeployed to a COVID-19 ward with very short notice. During the pandemic, nurses were required to be adaptable. She was able to quickly conform to the challenging disease, environment, and the new ways of working. In some instances, Viviane was the most senior nurse on duty, therefore she had to take charge of a team that she had never worked with before. This challenged her leadership skills in a positive way, and she was able to support, encourage and delegate to staff, as well as successfully managing the mix of skills.
In 2021, Viviane had the opportunity to partake in the Pilot Leadership Programme 1st Line Leaders. This gave her an insight into the nuances between leadership and management, and how ultimately to bring the two together to positively impact the workplace. Through application of these skills, Viviane has been able to support staff to challenge practices, finding the patient's voice and enhancing communication.
Viviane is passionate about medical leadership and sees this Fellowship as a great opportunity to continue to develop her leadership skills, gain experience in leading projects on a national level and learn from senior leaders.
