Nursing and Mental Health Nursing graduate, Craig Harris, talks about his path from University to a senior role in the NHS.
After studying dance and drama at college, Professor Craig Harris took a year out and decided to change his career choice following in the footsteps of his friend whose calling was always to be nurse. He applied to study a DipHE Mental Health Nursing at the University of Central Lancashire and was offered a place. After graduating in 2000, and after some stern words from a Night Sister, he knew that nursing would be his fully committed career and stayed on to study a full nursing degree.
Craig's first job after graduating as a Staff Nurse on an extreme behaviour unit was very challenging but he couldn't bring himself to leave the University and worked as a part-time Faculty Officer for nursing students. He credits the support of an "amazing" Dean of Faculty who, Craig said; "was not only inspirational and a great model but also someone who was very supportive and committed to the growth and development of all her nurses."
"Observing, participating and leading on specific nursing related topics and issues at University helped shape my style and approach to future roles. This prepared me for job opportunities that I may never have considered."
— Professor Craig Harris, DipHe Mental Health Nursing and BSc (Hons) Nursing graduate.
Craig’s had a varied and very successful career and is now back in Lancashire as the Chief Operating Officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Integrated Care Board. He is also humbled and proud to be a Honorary Professor back at the University of Central Lancashire, almost three decades after he first became a student.
Craig's skills and experience are impressive; including mental health nursing in an acute setting, specialising in perinatal care, working in female forensics and clinical management, being the Head of Mental Health for Manchester, the Associate Director and Director of Joint Commissioning, and a GM Strategic Director of Offender Health. His executive roles have included Executive Nurse and Strategic Director at Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group and Manchester City Council. He’s also worked as Accountable Officer and Managing Director of NHS Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group, before becoming an Executive Officer at Greater Manchester Integrated Care, prior to his current role.
During his career, Craig has won many awards in the NHS but also through his charity roles, including the Pride Attitude Award in 2015 and the Charity Chair of the Year (Northwest) 2018. Talking of his accomplishments, he said: “I’m the Chair of We are Survivors, an internationally recognised charity for male survivors of abuse. I’m presiding justice in Greater Manchester. I’m a Nurse, an NHS Executive and Professor in the NHS and Academic Sector. I’m also a Managing Director of a family business, but my greatest achievement since graduation has been adopting my son at one, who is now 14, and watching him grow and develop into a lovely young man.”
What advice would Craig give to anyone thinking of nursing as a career? He said: “Find your like minded people who will support and challenge you! Be patient but determined.
“Take risks and step outside your comfort zone at least once in your career. Nursing is tough, take an umbrella to weather the storm but remember it always passes. Enjoy, smile, have fun and be kind. And maybe follow my mantra - life is limited, our future is unlimited, so be a limited edition.”
