Dr Sam Debbage, Deputy Director of Education and Registered Nurse:
Tell us about your journey into the NHS and what you would do differently, if anything?
From a very young age, I have always known that I wanted to be a nurse. What I hadn’t realised (before I started my pre-registration nurse training) was the variety of roles that I would work with. Before I started my nurse training I had a year out (gap year) and travelled around Europe – it really helped consolidate my aspirations and appreciate how lucky we are to have an NHS.
Your most inspirational female icon, past or present?
A lady called Paulina Powell – she was a lecturer on a pre nursing programme who gave me the confidence and insight into my ability to work and study at any level I wanted including doctorate! She was the reason I applied to University to study nursing.
What is your favourite food and most disliked, and why?
My Mum’s Lasagne or Roast dinner, least favourite has to be semolina – consistency, lack of colour, lack of flavour – I could go on…
Do you have any phobias
Not that would stop me doing something
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Always a nurse
Tell us something funny about yourself
I am occasionally referred to as a man due to my name being Sam and my title being Dr.