Health Careers LIVE with The Primary Care Workforce

 I came into nursing in 1983 starting my career on a male medical/oncology ward in secondary care. I progressed into Community/District Nursing and then School Nursing where I did my BSc (Hons) School Nursing degree. In 2003 I had the opportunity to further my career and completed my MSc – Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in 2005,  working in General Practice for a further 12 years. Aligning to this from 2010 to 2014, I was the ANP Lead for East Sussex and Practice Nurse lead for Eastbourne, Hailsham & Seaford CCG.

I came into my PCWT role in 2014 and this responsibility enable me to support the development of Nurse Mentors and to collaborate to increase clinical education placement capacity for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Primary Care setting. My remit enables me to increase and improve educational networks between General Practice, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and Health Education England. This function supports workforce planning, education and training of all workforce to prepare them for the delivery of high quality patient services closer to home

I decided I wanted to be a Nurse after spending time at the Health Hut whilst working as a counsellor at a summer camp in America. I didn’t have the qualifications or experience so I undertook an Access to Nursing course at the local college and volunteered at the hospital. I then went on to do my BSc (hons) in Nursing and qualified in 2005. During my career I have been a Community Nurse, Tissue Viability & Lymphoedema Specialist. I have worked for the NHS and the private sector and have developed leadership, teaching skills and a PG Cert. along the way.

I came to work as Lead for Advancing Practice in 2016 and love to train and support our primary care workforce. I work with Dee to support workforce development projects and particularly enjoy working with schools and colleges to promote nursing and the NHS. I support with apprenticeships for our Health Care Support Workers and mentor/support our newly registered and new to practice Nurses. I also support our pre-reg nursing students; organising placements and keeping our nurse mentors up to date. I love Nursing and training/supporting others to ensure we provide the best high quality care to our patient’s and the population.