Nursing Graduate Paul Jebb talks about his NHS Career

University of Central Lancashire Nursing graduate, Paul Jebb, has achieved great career success and has risen through the ranks from Staff Nurse to become an Associate Director for the NHS.

Paul’s career journey began at the University in the 1990s when he completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Pre-Registration Nursing, which he followed by graduating with a BSc (Hons) Nursing in 2001.

Whilst studying for his nursing qualifications, Paul worked as a Staff Nurse and Charge Nurse at Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals. Following completion of his undergraduate degree, he went on to higher level positions including Ward Manager, Senior Nurse Manager and Directorate Manager across several NHS Trusts.

From November 2010 to October 2014, Paul was the Assistant Director of Nursing and Patient Experience for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst fulfilling this role, Paul returned to UCLan for postgraduate study and completed a master’s in Health Services Management in 2012.

Paul’s career journey began at the University in the 1990s when he completed an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Pre-Registration Nursing, which he followed by graduating with a BSc (Hons) Nursing in 2001.

Whilst studying for his nursing qualifications, Paul worked as a Staff Nurse and Charge Nurse at Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals. Following completion of his undergraduate degree, he went on to higher level positions including Ward Manager, Senior Nurse Manager and Directorate Manager across several NHS Trusts.

From November 2010 to October 2014, Paul was the Assistant Director of Nursing and Patient Experience for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst fulfilling this role, Paul returned to UCLan for postgraduate study and completed a master’s in Health Services Management in 2012.

Paul Jebb, BSc (Hons) Nursing and MA Health Services Management graduate

"The support that I got from the academic staff was vital for me to achieve academically and personally. I have become more appreciative of academia."
— Paul Jebb, BSc (Hons) Nursing and MA Health Services Management graduate

Paul has led on developing service user and carer councils, person-centred care framework, developing greater involvement of carers and service users in Trust improvement programmes. He has also enhanced the role of volunteers and driven change using feedback.

In September 2021, Paul was humbled and thrilled to have won the Patient Experience Network, NHS Patient Experience Manager of the Year.

Throughout his career, Paul has progressed his professional development to achieve executive leadership and has successfully completed targeted training courses, including an NHSI (NHS Improvement) course aimed at Aspiring Executive Nurses.

Additionally, Paul is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at UCLan and has experience of being on professional and governance boards such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Strategy Advisory Group and the RCNi (Royal College of Nursing) editorial board. As Chair of the Blackpool Carers Centre charity, Paul supports unpaid carers of all ages and he has also recently joined the steering group for the RCN Nurses in Leadership and Management Forum. In recognition of his outstanding work, Paul won a 2018 Cavell Nurses’ Star Award for his dedication to nursing.

Despite his prestigious place within the NHS, Paul believes his greatest professional achievement was when it all began back at the University. He said: “As well as becoming a father and a husband, my biggest achievement is graduating, when at school I never thought I would have gained a degree.”

Reflecting on his time studying at University, Paul said: “The support that I got from the academic staff was vital for me to achieve academically and personally. I have become more appreciative of academia.”

When asked what advice he would give to students wishing to pursue a similar career, Paul advised: “Be prepared to work hard and play hard. Take all the opportunities that come your way. Remember to have a voice for your profession and your patients.”