Navigating Nursing

In this episode Laura meets with Sergeant Laila Wallace who is a Nurse recruiter for the RAF and is a Registered Adult Nurse. She shares what made her apply to be a nurse and what led her to applying to join the RAF after qualifying. She discusses the transition from working in a Medical Admission Unit to being in the RAF and working as a Quality Improvement Sepsis nurse. She talks about the opportunities available within the military and how the opportunities she has had have shaped her career. Laila has also worked as part of the Deployable Aeromedical Response Team Sqn at Tactical Medical Wing and has also worked as part of the Aeromedical Evacuation Sqn in 2020, tasked with delivering global Aeromedical Evacuation. She shares her experiences and discusses how pre-hospital care courses has shaped her as a nurse. Laila has worked in various leadership positions and she shares how she adapted to these roles. During the pandemic Laila was deployed to co-ordinate and run a vaccination programme in partnership with the Southeast NHS hub in support of Military Assistance to Civilian Authority. She discusses the importance of saying yes to all opportunities when they present themselves and talks about her role as Nurse recruiter for the RAF. Laila gives advice anyone interested in joining the military. Laila shares her career aims and goals for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Lieutenant Emily Williams is a Hospital Officer on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ARGUS. Emily shares her reasons for applying for her nurse training and why she decided to join the Royal Navy. She discusses her time deployed to Norway and her experiences during this deployment. During the pandemic Emily was deployed as part of the Covid rapid response transfer team during the pandemic and she talks about how this sparked her interest in critical care. Emily discusses how she has completed post graduate training and modules in critical care, she shares advice for anyone considering this speciality. Emily gives advice for anyone interested in applying to the military and the Royal Navy. She shares her plans and career aims for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Laura meets with Sgt Jayne Lum Kin who is an Emergency Department Nurse and an RAF Reservist. Jayne talks about how travelling to Africa led her to decide to train to be a nurse. She has worked in the ED throughout her career, and she shares how she decided this speciality interested her. Jayne joined the RAF as a reservist when she was 50, and she talks about what led her to apply at this stage in her career. Jayne discusses her time in the RAF and gives advice for anyone also interested in joining the RAF. She shares her passion for travel and adventure and how developing as a Flight Nurse has been a fantastic experience. She shares advice for anyone interested in joining the RAF and for anyone who is interested in ED nursing. Jayne shares how she has worked as a contract nurse in Kabul and how she has worked within elite sports and at sporting events. Jayne talks about her career aims and goals for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Laura meets with Captain Stephen Worsley who is a Deputy senior nursing officer at Defence Primary Healthcare in the Army. Stephen discusses why he decided to train as a nurse and the reason he chose Primary health care as a speciality. Stephen gives advice to anyone interested in Primary Health care and he discusses his experience studying for a Post graduate certificate in Unscheduled Primary Health care. He talks about how he joined the army and gives any advice for anyone interested in joining the military. He discusses the opportunities he has had whilst being the in the Army and how the Army has enabled him to develop outside of Nursing, including becoming a Physical Training Instructor. Stephen has just completed the Negotiated Learning module in order to top up to BSc Hons Nursing practice development and gives advice for anyone wishing to complete any post graduate study. Stephen is currently a deputy senior nursing officer and he talks about his role. Stephen shares advice for anyone who is a student nurse or a newly qualified nurse. He shares his career goals and aims for the future. For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Katy discusses how she joined the army reserves and her motivations for joining the army full time. Katy has worked in Intensive Care since qualifying and provides advice for anyone interested in working in this speciality. She talks about her motivations for joining the army reserves and why she decided to join the army full time. Katy has completed post graduate qualifications in Intensive care nursing and provides advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. Katy shares what her current role as Practice development officer and how she enjoys supporting and developing other nurses. Katy discusses her career aims and goals for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Sgt Emmanuel Ebrada is a Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner in the NHS and Critical Care nurse in the Army reserves. Manny shares his journey to studying to be a nurse and how this was driven by his passion for travel. Manny shares how he worked in the Philippines, Singapore and then moved to the United Kingdom. He discusses his career in Intensive care and why he was drawn to working in this speciality. Manny is a Critical Care nurse in the Army Reserves and he gives advice for anyone interested in joining the military. He talks about the support he has received from the Army in terms of his educational development, and how completing further postgraduate study has shaped his career. He shares the opportunities the Army has provided him, including travel and taking part in triathlons. Manny provides advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7 as he is currently completing a MSc alongside working full time in the NHS and being in the Army reserves. Manny shares his career aims for the future. For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Laura meets with SSgt Gordie Mackenzie, who is a Registered adult nurse, Primary health care nurse, and part of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.Gordie discusses how he qualified from Robert Gordon university in 2012 and his journey as a newly qualified nurse. He gives advice for anyone interested in joining the Army, and discusses his motivations for joining. Geordie talks about the reason he started working in Primary Health Care, and provides advice for anyone interested in changing speciality from secondary to primary care. Gordie shares his own journey through preceptorship and how when provided with the correct support all nurses can thrive. Gordie talks about his journey through post graduate speciality training and gives advice for anyone wishing to complete any further continual professional development. Geordie shares his experiences whilst on deployment and his career goals for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Lt Colonel Mohammed Fertout discusses his career in the army, where he was a combat medic for 11 years prior to starting his Mental Health Nursing training. Mo worked at an inpatient unit on qualifying and talks about his transition to working in the community and the need for the appropriate support for nurses making this transition. Mo went on to complete the Regular Commissions Board to become an Army Nursing Officer completing Professional Qualified Officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He then worked as a nursing officer in Cyprus and was also deployed to Iraq twice during a very tough period.Mo has also worked as a Lecturer and Research Fellow and was seconded to the Kings College Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) London. He discusses how he contributed and published research focused on post deployment mental health problems. He also completed a MSc in War and psychiatry, and how this enabled him to explore the roles nurses play in population and public Mental health and witness the impact of conflict and violence on populations as much as individuals.Mo discusses the need to be open minded to opportunities and how his career has been impacted by advice and recommendations from colleagues. He talks about how he then took up a role focusing on health improvement and how this enabled him to develop his knowledge and experience about the links between physical and mental health. During the Covid-19 pandemic Mo was responsible for coordinating some of the Defence response to supporting the NHS but still ensuring enough clinical workforce remained to support Defence operations held at readiness or deployed around the globe.Mo shares how he is on the Defence medical leadership programme in partnership with Cumbria university and gives advice to anyone wishing to complete any further study. He gives advice for people interested in joining the military and for student nurses. The episode ends with Mo sharing his plans for the future and his career aims.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Laura speaks with Company Sergeant Major Cally Brunton. Cally is the Company Sergeant Major for Ypres Company at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Cally originally joined the army as a health care assistant and discusses her journey to becoming a registered nurse. She provides advise for anyone interested in joining the army and wishing to study to become a nurse. She talks about her new role at Sandhurst and how she juggles her desire to remain clinically up to date as a Primary Health Care nurse. Cally has recently completed her non- medical prescribing course and gives advise for anyone interested in this qualification. She also shares her career aims and hopes for the future. For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

In this episode Laura meets with Suzanne Turner who is the Regional Nurse Advisor for Defence Primary Health Care Scotland & Northern Ireland. Suzanne shares how she trained as a nurse at Anglia Ruskin University after a career as a civil servant with the Ministry of Defence. Suzanne discusses how she worked in the community as a newly qualified nurse, and provides for advice for anyone who also is interested working in this speciality. Suzanne then moved on to a Clinical Team Lead post and shares advice for anyone hesitant to apply for a leadership position. Suzanne talks about how missed working with the military and applied and was successful in getting the Specialist Practice Nurse role at Fort George in Scotland. Suzanne is currently studying for a MSc for Advanced Professional Practice and gives advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. Suzanne is also a Professional Nurse Advocate and she shares the impact that this training and role has had on her practice. Suzanne discusses her current role as Regional Nurse Advisor for Defence Primary Health Care Scotland & Northern Ireland and how she is enjoying the challenges and opportunities this role presents. Suzanne also shares advice for students, newly qualified nurses or anyone interested in working as a civilian within defence nursing.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here:Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing ServiceCivil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Sharon Fox is a Regional Nursing Advisor for Defence Primary health Care North region. Sharon shares her nursing career, from being one of the first ‘Project 2000' nurses having completed her training at Stoke Mandeville Hospital (part of Oxford Brookes University).She started her career working on a surgical ward and has moved in various Intensive Care settings. Sharon discussed how she moved to Germany and started work in Primary Health care and how her career has progressed since then. She gives advise for anyone interested in this speciality and for anyone interested working with the military as a civilian. She also shares her career goals and aims for the future.For further information please follow:X = @DMS_MilMedLinkedin = Defence Medical ServicesInsta = @StrategicCommandUK armed forcesYou can browse regular and reservist roles here: Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceQueen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsPrincess Mary's RAF Nursing Service Civil ServiceThe MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles: Civil Service JobsFlexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Welcome to series 5 of Navigating Nursing. In this series I interview Defence nurses, including nurses working in the regular military, reserves and civil service nurses.This series highlights the diversity of the nursing profession and aims to inspire nurses, Nurse associates, healthcare support workers and students. #DefenceNursing #Onemedicalmindset #futureDMS #DMSPlease follow Navigating Nursing on Instagram, Laura Whitehead on X (Twitter) and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode Laura interviews Georgie Cox who is an Associate Professor at University of East London. Georgie discusses her career to date and what inspired her to become a nurse. Georgie studied at the University of Westminster and completed a BSc in Physiology and shares how this has shaped has shaped her career. Georgie has worked in education for a number of years and she shares how important supporting students is. She has published a number of articles on hair racism after supporting a student through an incredibly difficult experience and Georgie talks about how this situation was managed and how important it is for us to all call out racism and discrimination. Georgie recently took part in the 100 Black Women Professors NOW change programme and she talks about how attending this programme has inspired to work towards becoming a Professor in the future. She shares advice for all leaders and aspiring leaders and shares her career aims for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Tahira Mahmood who is a Bronchiectasis Clinical Nurse Specialist. She discusses her reasons for studying nursing at Bradford University. Tahira worked at Interventional Radiology when she qualified and worked her way up to a band 7. She talks about her experience in mentoring and reverse mentoring and the positive impact this has had on her progression and confidence. Tahira developed a video which was used as part of the international recruitment process, this is available through the link: Interventional Radiology - YouTube Tahira discusses her reasons for moving into a new role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and the challenges of working in a new Trust and being involved in setting up a new service. Tahira is enjoying her role and is splitting her time in working alongside the TB CNS team. She gives advice for anyone interested in being a Clinical Nurse Specialist and shares her career aims.

In this episode Laura meets with Nathan Askew, a Chief Nurse, AHP and Experience officer. Nathan talks about what led him to apply to be a nurse and why he chose Children's nursing. He gives leadership advice and shares his view that one of the skills of a leader is to bring experts together to share ideas and problem solve. Nathan discusses his journey through his MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice and gives advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. He talks about the importance of being flexible when completing post graduate study and how this can help you to develop whilst having a work life balance. Nathan is the Chair of the Association of Children and Young People's nurses, he shares the work he does with this organisation. Nathan also gives advice to anyone in a leadership position or who wishes to apply for one.

In this episode Laura meets with Julie Crane, who is a Senior Lecturer and Founding Director of Mary's Place CIC. Julie has had a varied career, she has worked in General Surgery, as a Clinical Research nurse and a clinical governance facilitator. Julie gives advice for anyone interested in applying for a new role, and the importance of remembering the transferable skills you have. Julie gives advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. In her role as a Senior Lecturer Julie teaches Leadership and she discusses how her secondment has changed her as a lecturer and her teaching on the topic of leadership. Julie is the Founding Director of Mary's Place CIC – which has been established to support newly qualified professionals make the transition from student to professional with greater ease and grace. The first project is supporting nurses, but the constitution for Mary's Place is newly qualified professionals. Julie finished the episode by discussing her plans for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Professor Alison Leary MBE. She discusses her transition from being an engineer and apprentice rocket scientist to training as a nurse. Professor Alison compares the similarities between being a scientist and the similarities it has with nursing as in both you are looking at real world issues. Professor Alison talks about her varied career in oncology, from being a Clinical Nurse Specialist, to conducting research and being involved in policy. Laura and Alison talk about myths for newly qualified nurses and how all nurses need to choose their employer carefully. It is important to remember it is a seller's market and don't be afraid to ensure you ask for what you want when looking for a job. Professor Alison gives her advice for nurses interested in research and talks about her work with the National Cancer Action Team. She discusses her work with The Queen's Nursing Institute and shares her plans for the future.

Sally Shearer OBE joins Laura for this episode of the Leadership series. Sally discusses her previous experience as a nursery nurse in a Special Care Baby Unit and what led her to complete her nurse training at the University of Nottingham. Sally discusses her career and her journey as a Director of Nursing at Barts Health and then at Sheffield Children's as Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Executive. Sally gives advice for anyone looking at applying for a new role and the positives of moving to a new role in a different area. Sally is a member of a National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel as a registered children's nurse. She gives advice for anyone involved in safeguarding and the importance of seeking support and advice. Sally is a mentor for nurses and she finds this enables her to keep her sense of reality. To find out more about the Child Safeguarding review panel: About us - Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Trigger warning:This episode discusses child safeguarding and caring for patient's who have self harmed

In this episode Laura speaks with Ash Greaves, a Homeless Pathway and Outreach Lead Nurse. Ash talks about what inspired him to become a nurse and the impact of his experiences before he trained as a nurse. Ash has worked with young disadvantaged people, people with disabilities, young people with substance misuse, sexual health, and mental health issues throughout his career. Ash started his nurse training in his mid- twenties and studied at the University of Bradford and he speaks about how his previous jobs have assisted him in his nursing career. Ash discusses the 2 MSc modules in Mental Disorders and Mental Capacity, and Best Interest Assessor course and the impact this had on his career development. Ash discusses his career to date and his current role as the Homeless Pathway and Outreach lead Nurse. Ash provides advice for student nurses and newly qualified nurses. The episode finishes with Ash sharing his career aspirations for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Emma Firth who is a Regional Primary Care Lead in the North of England. Emma speaks about how she decided to do nursing and how she originally worked on a female surgery and gynaecology ward before working at HMP Wakefield prison as a primary care nurse. Emma discusses how studying her non- medical prescribing has been a pivotal learning moment in her career. Laura and Emma talk about the role of the Professional Nurse Advocate and the impact it can have on the workforce. Emma and Laura debate about the idea of ‘deskilling' and how all nurse's competence develops and involves over time depending on their current role and experience. Emma gives advice for newly qualified nurses and students and also outlines her career plans for the future.

In this episode Laura talks with Kat Cheng who is a Teaching Associate, Fellow of the high education academy, Adult nurse and Health Visitor. Kat discusses the impact working on a Mercy ship had on her desire to study nursing. Kat talks about how a placement during her Adult Nursing degree led to her wanting to pursue a career as a Health Visitor. Kat has gone on to work in academia and is currently a Teaching Associate at the University of Nottingham. Kat is also completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher education and has also completed a MSc in Public Health. Kat discusses the reason for studying a MSc in Public health. Kat gives advice for anyone wishing to complete a MSc or who wishes to train to become a Health Visitor. Kat is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead for the School of Health Sciences at the university and she discusses how she has developed her knowledge and skills in managing safeguarding situations. Kat is passionate in Public Health and health promotion and this is evident through the advice she gives to students and qualified staff within this episode.

Laura is joined today by Dr Joan Myers, an independent consultant. Dr Joan Myers OBE is a multi- award winning nurse and received an OBE for her services to children and nursing in 2013. She is a Queen's Nurse and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Middlesex University. Dr Joan discusses her passion for helping people at a young age and her journey into nursing. Dr Joan speaks about her training and development throughout her career and gives advice for anyone facing challenges with their managers. She gives leadership advice for all nurses and students, and discussed the importance of role models and mentors. Dr Joan Myers' passion for career development and supportive learning environments shines through in the advice she gives. Trigger warning: discrimination, racism and ageism are discussed within this episode. This webpage gives support and advice: Support if you have experienced racism or discrimination | The King's Fund (kingsfund.org.uk)

In this episode Laura meets with Sarah Evans, a Preceptorship Matron who is responsible for newly qualified nurses and ODPs, midwives and newly registered nursing associates. Sarah has a clinical background in intensive care and was an ECMO nurse specialist for many years. She discusses her career journey and how she has been a "constant student" throughout her career. Sarah gives advice to students who are unsure of their career aims and reminds us that we are always learning regardless of our experience level or how long we have been qualified. She talks about her secondment to the Chief Nurse Office and how she has found the transition to an education role from a full time clinical post. Sarah also shares her career aims for the future.

Laura is joined by Professor Nancy Fontaine who is a Chief Nurse and Director for Infection Prevention and Control and Executive lead for Quality, Safety, Patient Experience and Engagement, at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Professor Nancy talks through her decision to study nursing, and her varied career. She discusses her time working as a nurse abroad and how she has managed to maintain her love of travel throughout her career. Professor Nancy discusses how we all have life long careers and how we can evolve and change throughout them. She talks about her time as one of the country's first Nurse Consultants and her enjoyment in Emergency Department and Critical care nursing. She gives advice for anyone wishing to study and discusses her own journey through academic study which has included a PhD which focuses on using humour as a coping mechanism. Professor Nancy is a Qualified coach and the need she thinks there is in the NHS for supportive career progression. This episode contains advise for student nurses, nurses and academics.

In this podcast Laura interviews Heather Wilson. Heather discusses the work experience which led to her studying nursing at Edinburgh. She speaks about her interest in public heath, preventative health and policy started at university when she felt acutely aware of the downstream nature of healthcare in the UK. Heather completed a Graduate scheme at Cancer research and how she managed her clinical development as a newly qualified nurse at the same time. During the pandemic Heather discusses her work in the Emergency Department and Intensive care and how she started working in the Vaccination Centre. Heather is studying for a MSc in Public Health in London Centre for Tropical Disease Medicine and she talks about the working/ studying balance. Heather gives advice to all nurses in regards to self-care and self-preservation. Heather currently works at the at the Health Foundation as a Policy and Programme Officer alongside working on the bank as a nurse in the A&E Department of a central London hospital. Laura and Heather also talk about how they stay hopeful whilst working in challenging environments. They discuss how their identities as a nurse has changed over the course of the careers and how there is still a perception that as a nurse is that you must work clinically. Heather finally shares her goals and aspirations for the future.

In this episode Laura speak with Sian Chinwuba, a Paediatric Staff Nurse and winner of Student Nursing Time Awards for the Most Inspirational Student Nurse of the Year 2021. Sian discusses her first year as a newly qualified on a rotation programme. She outlines the positives and negatives of a rotation programme. She gives advice for students and newly qualified nurses in how to manage stress and how to deal with difficult situations at work. Sian speaks about the MSc in Women's Health at UCLH she recently started (at the time of recording) and her career aims and goals for the future.

Dr Anna Maria Valdez Ph.D., RN, FAEN, FAADN joins Laura Whitehead on the podcast this week. She is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing at Sonoma State University. She discusses her career to date and what led her to apply to a nursing programme. Dr Anna discusses how she managed working full time and studying. Dr Anna had worked in the Emergency Department and Intensive care throughout her career and she discusses her move into education and academia. She discusses her PhD and what led to her focus on Nursing Education. We talk about the role of nurses, how nursing has developed and the importance of nurses being involved in policy development. Dr Anna shares her view on Florence Nightingale and we must be aware of the place of privilege she came from and how others who have contribution to the profession have been forgotten over time. Laura and Dr Anna discuss hierarchy in healthcare and how as a profession nurses can be guilty of repressing others in their career development. Dr Anna discusses the he Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity and the importance of a focus in health equity and nurse wellness in the report. She shares her advice for newly qualified nurses and importance of boundaries. Dr Anna outlines her plans for the future as her excitement at starting as the Editor of the Emergency Nursing journal and her career goals.

Beverley Brathwaite joins Laura for episode 1 of series 4 of Navigating nursing. Beverley discusses her decision to study nursing and the roles she has had as a nurse, tissue viability nurse specialist, lecturer and now as a senior lecturer at the University of Roehampton. Beverley discusses how nursing wasn't a traditional career choice where she grew up and how nursing as a career has led her to wide range of academic study she didn't realise was even possible. Beverley is also a clinical nurse advisor for 111, which is part of the National Health Service and is a telephone triage service which ensures patients get the correct support and advice they need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She talks about the challenges of assessing patients over the phone and the need for an advanced skill set.Beverley is an author and doctoral student and she discusses her journey through her doctorate and what motivated her to start a PhD in the first place. She gives advice to student nurses and newly qualified nurses and outlines her plans for the future.

Welcome to Series 4! Series 4 begins on the 30th January 2023 and is a series on nurse leadership. I interview nurses in a variety of leadership positions about their careers to date, experiences, what they have learnt over their career. They also share advice and their aspirations for the rest of their careers.The podcast is available via the link and is also on iTunes and Spotify, Please follow @navigatingnursing on Instagram and @Laurawhitehead on Twitter for more information.Navigating Nursing is a labour of love so any donations (big or small), even the cost of a cup of tea would be gratefully received. Please use the donate button below. Thank you!

Laura welcomes Kristina Radzeviciute, a Registered Nursing Associate to the podcast. She discusses how after she graduated with a Psychology degree she started working as a Healthcare assistant in a forensic unit whilst volunteering as an Assistant Psychologist. She gives advice for anyone interested in nursing or applying for an apprentiship. Kristian is passionate about mental health and rehabilitation and she gives an insight as to why she started working in this field.After graduating as a Nursing Associate in December 2020 Kristina has been working in an NHS Adult Mental Health inpatient recovery and rehabilitation ward. Kristiana is currently in her second year of a BSc Mental Health Nursing apprenticeship top up and she outlines her career goals for the future.

In this episode Laura talks with Abi Okegbile who is a Community Learning Disability Nursing Associate. Abi discusses her career prior to starting as a student Nursing Associate. She outlines the academic challenges of the course and how she overcame her anxieties. Previously Abi was a community support worker for people with profound learning disabilities, however she had never worked in the NHS before. She talks about the challenges she faced whilst on placement and the clinical skills she has developed whilst on different placements. Abi gives an insight into her role as a Community Learning Disability nursing associate and tells listeners why she is so passionate about LD nursing. Abi talks about the continuing professional development she has done since qualifying and shares her career goals for the future.

In this episode Laura speaks with Victoria Williams who is a Registered Nursing Associate in High Secure Psychiatric Services. She shares her career in healthcare and why she decided to apply for the Nursing Associate apprentiship. She qualified in 2019 after studying at the University of West London. Victoria shares her experiences being redeployed during the pandemic to a Covid ward and a vaccination centre. Victoria discusses the benefits of having a variety of clinical experiences through working bank at a hospice. Victoria shares her experience of being part of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Leadership Programme for Mental Health Nursing Associates. Victoria gives advice to anyone wishing to apply to be a Nursing Associate and shares her career aims for the future. · ·

In this weeks episode Laura interview Jonathan Opoku, a student Nursing Associate. He is currently in his second year and is studying at Middlesex University. He discusses his journey into working in healthcare and his previous role as a Healthcare Support Worker in General Surgery at the Royal Free hospital has helped.. He speaks about how he was inspired by a work colleagues to apply to be a Nursing Associate. Jonathan gives advice to anyone wishing to return to studying after a long break and provides an insight into being on an apprentiship programme. Lastly he tells us of his career goals for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Mushtag Kahin, who is a Nursing Associate working as a Community Engagement Practioner in a Community Mental Health Team. Mushtag shares her varied career in healthcare and how this led her to studying to become a Nursing Associate. She graduated in May 2021 and has also work in a CAMHS (Child and adolescent mental health services) Adolescence Unit. She shares her experiences of working in the NHS and offers advice to anyone working in a toxic work environment.Mushtag is currently studying a Masters at Middlesex University in Mental Health Studies and she shares how she came to the decision at this level and the funding support she was awarded from a charity.Mushtag shares her ambitions for the future, in particular her wish to undertake a PhD in transcultural psychiatry with a wish to explore perinatal mental health nursing in Somali women. This inspiring episodes outlines the variety of roles available for a Nursing Associate and the importance of diversity in the NHS,Mushtag writes a blog available here:https://medium.com/@mskahin1/list/predefined:89882f7a57e4:READING_LISTand is a co-author of Dismantling racism in education: In 2020, the year of the nurse & midwife, “it's time.”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7354251/If you have experienced any of the issues discussed in this episode please seek support, further information and resources available are discussed in this webpage by the Royal College of Nurses -https://www.rcn.org.uk/get-help/rcn-advice/bullying-and-harassment

In the first episode of Navigating Nursing I speak with Carly Richardson who is a Nursing Associate in General Practice. She studied at Middlesex University and qualified in December 2020. Prior to working in General Practice Carly also worked as a NA in a Marie Curie Hospice and she discusses the differences in working in these very different clinical areas. She outlines her motivation for becoming a Nursing Associate and gives advice for any one wishing to undertake an apprenticeship programme. Carly outlines her educational achievements and her career aspirations for the future.

Series 3 on Navigating Nursing is out on the 13th January 2022. In the Nursing Associate series I interview Nursing Associates and trainee/ student Nursing Associates. The guests are from a variety of fields, clinical backgrounds and roles. They discuss their previous careers, their educational achievements and any challenges they have faced. They give advice for anyone wishing to study to become a Nursing Associate and give advice for anyone on an apprenticeship. Lastly they discuss their current roles and career aspirations.The podcast is available via the link and is now on iTunes and Spotify, Please follow @navigatingnursing on Instagram and @Laurawhitehead on Twitter for more information.

In the season finale Laura meets with Dame Anne Marie Rafferty. President of the RCN and Professor of Health Policy King's College, London.Laura and Professor Anne Marie discuss her academic studies at different levels & disciplines; a doctorate in the arts and humanities (DPhil Modern History University of Oxford); clinical science (MPhil Surgery, University Nottingham) and BSc social sciences (Nursing Studies University of Edinburgh).Professor Anne Marie states the importance of leadership and mentorship and how everyone, regardless of their role is in a leadership position. They talk about her time as Dean of the Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her previous secondment at the Department of Health with Lord Darzi & CNO Prof Christine Beasley on the nursing contribution to the Next Stage Review of the NHS (2006-7) and subsequently the Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery ( 2011). She was also elected President of the Royal College of Nursing from 2019- 2021 and they discuss her work at the RCN.Professor Anne Marie also offers offers advice for newly qualified nurses, registered nurses and nurse leaders to take every opportunity that is offered to them and if they aren't to seek them out. The podcast ends on Professor Anne- Marie talking about her career aims for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Dr Parveen Azam Ali who is a Professor at the University of Sheffield and Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT. Dr Parveen discusses her career to date and how her training in Pakistan has shaped her career and research interests. She discusses her role as Editor of Nursing Open a Wiley journal and gives advice to anyone wishing to undertake a PhD. Dr Parveen is also a Mary Seacole Scholar and her area of interest gender based violence and health inequalities. She outlines the importance of having a mentor and the difference having a 5 year plan can have on your career pathway.Dr Parveen is also a radio presenter for The Health show with Dr Parveen on Link FM 96.7

In this episode Laura meets with Professor Calvin Moorley PhD, Professor Diversity & Social Justice at London South Bank University. He gives an insight to his nursing career and his passion for research. He gives advice for nurses wishing to study at doctorate level and gives tips into improving your writing practices. Professor Calvin is also the Editor of the Journal of Transcultural Nursing and gives advice for nurses wishing to take part in research and interested in publishing their work. Professor Calvin outlines his role as a Professor and the importance of him being a role model for other Black Caribbean men in nursing. In his role at the university Professor Calvin particularly focuses on race and gender to ensure that the lived experience of equality happens. He gives career advice to student nurses and newly qualified nurses.

In this episode Laura talks with Dinah Ofosu- Asante, Lead Nurse for Healthcare support workers at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. They discuss Dinah's route into nursing having since been a qualified accountant through the access to nursing qualification. They discuss her experience as a mentor and the importance of a positive attitude to learning. Dinah outlines her role as a Lead Nurse for healthcare support workers and gives advice for any HCSWs listening on career progression,

In this episode Laura meets with Ethel Changa, Clinical Advisor for the National Covid-19 Vaccination programme. They discuss her previous roles as Chief Nurse for core services and Deputy Director of Safety and standards. Ethel discusses her MSc in Nursing and gives advice for anyone wishing to study at this level. Ethel gives leadership advice and discusses the challenges she has faced as a woman of colour whilst working in senior leadership positions. She gives advice for anyone else facing similar challenges including the importance of mentorship and the impact support from a line manager can have on you, your development and your career.

In this episode Laura speaks with Nicola Rudkin, the Deputy Associate Director of Nursing for Surgery and Head of Nursing for the Queen Elizabeth Unit Critical Care Pandemic Expansion at the Royal London Hospital. They discuss Nicola's journey into critical care and the challenges she faced starting in ICU the week after the London bombings. She discusses her transition from Senior Sister to Matron and again when she became the senior nurse for peri-op (theatres, short stay surgery, pain and pre-op admission). Nicola talks about her current role as Deputy Associate Director of Nursing for Surgery.Laura and Nicola discuss the impact the pandemic has had on critical care nurses and Nicola gives an insight into the critical care expansion which has taken place at the Royal London hospital. During the second wave of the pandemic Nicola has taken on the head of nursing role as a temporary leadership structure for critical care expansion and Nicola outlines how having a leadership coach has assisted with this transition.

In this episode Laura meets with Brigitta Fazzini, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner working within the Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT) at The Royal London hospital.They discuss her academic qualifications, her post graduate diploma in tropical disease medicine, her MSc in Critical Care at Queen Marys University London and the process to becoming a prescriber.Brigitta has recently had an article published and she gives advice for anyone wishing to conduct research whilst working clinically. Brigitta is also accredited by the Intensive Care Society (ICS) in the use of Focused Ultrasound in Intensive Care (FUSIC) for heart (ECHO), lung and vein cannulation via ultrasound and she outlines her work as a mentor and supervisor for healthcare professionals undertaking this qualification.Her article is available below:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1751143721996542

In this episode Laura speaks with Francis Fernando, Founding director of the Filipino Nurses Association UK, Head of Nursing for Central London Community healthcare NHS Trust, a previous Nurse Consultant and Florence Nightingale Leadership scholar. They discuss his role as a Head of Nursing and his career goals for the future. Francis was recently nominated and was a finalist for an Unsung Hero award.Francis discusses what led him to set up the Filipino Nurses Association UK to give Filipino nurses a voice locally and nationally. He outlines the fundraising that the association has done to provide support to people who lost loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. He gives details of the research the association has contributed to, which hopes to determine why Filipino nurses have been disproportionately affected by Covid-19. Francis outlines the impact his Florence nightingale scholarships have had on his career and patient care.For more information please visit: https://fnauk.org.uk/

In this episodes Laura meets with Adrian Jugdoyal who is a Director of Programmes for Mental Health at Middlesex University. They discuss why he decided to train as a nurse and his interest in both Adult and Mental health nursing. They talk about his career as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, a Care Quality Commission Inspector, NICE Reviewer and project manager. He gives advice for anyone with an interest in Mental health and adult nursing and outlines the impact being a researcher and prescriber has had on his career. Laura and Adrian debate the impact Covid-19 has had on students studying adult nursing and the challenges they have faced as academics.

In this episode Laura speaks with Professor John Unsworth, Chair of The Queen's Nursing Institute and Professor of Nursing at Northumbria University. John talks through his varied career, particularly his passion for Community nursing and his time as one of the first Nurse Consultants. He speaks about his role as Chair of The Queen's Nursing Institute and dispels any myths around newly qualified nurses and community nursing. He gives advice for nurses wishing to study at Masters and PhD level and outlines why he thinks it is vital for nurses to establish their 'sense of purpose' prior to applying for any jobs.

In this episode Laura speaks with Antonia Philp who is a Paediatric Transplant nurse Specialist and Co- founder of Nursem. They discuss Antonia's first job as a newly qualified nurse in Royal Manchester Children's hospital on a Medical ward and her interest in Cardiac.They discuss Antonia's career move to Cardiothoracic Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in the Newcastle Freeman Hospital, burn out and her current role as a Sister and a Paediatric Transplant Specialist nurse.Antonia talks about why she started the business and her role as Co- Founder of Nursem. She outlines the brands ethos and the "Nursem promise", that for every produce sold Nursem provide a nurse of midwives with a months supply of products. They have supplied over 135,000 nurses and midwives with a months worth of hand cream to date. Antonia also discusses her recent revalidation and the importance of recording your continuing professional development in order to make the process slightly easier.

In this episode Laura is joined by Emma Senyard, the Director of Education for the Royal London Hospital, former Deputy Director of Nursing substantively at Newham University Hospital who has been seconded since March 2020 to Royal London Hospital to lead on critical care expansion in response to the Covid- 19 pandemic. She has also led the wellbeing work for 1st surge in the Critical Care units and has also worked closely with an external coach from Harvard University.Emma was previously the Associate Director of Nursing for surgery at Royal London Hospital from April 2016 to August 2019. Laura and Emma discuss her communications degree, her career to date and the challenges she has faced in the past year.Emma gives advice for newly- qualified nurses and students on career progression and the benefit of applying and doing a rotation in different clinical areas. She outlines her career plans for the future and her goal of becoming a career/ leadership Coach with her currently studying a coaching qualification at the Institute of leadership and management.

In this episode Laura meets with Wendy Iles, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Clinical lead Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub (Calderdale, North Kirklees and Greater Huddersfield). They discuss her transition from working in the Emergency Department to Practice Nursing.Wendy discusses her passion for nurses pushing boundaries and her time as a principle in a General Practice Surgery with two other Advanced Nurse Practioners.Wendy is now a Clinical Lead for a training hub. She facilitates and supports training to the current and future primary care workforce – encouraging increasing placements of undergraduate nurses within primary care, introducing new roles into the multi-disciplinary team , encouraging retention of the current workforce and supporting primary care as a place to work.

In the second episode of series 2 Laura meets with Vikki Howarth. they discuss her career to date and her current role as Lead Nurse for Critical Care Outreach at North Middlesex Hospital.Vikki is also the Trust Clinical Lead for Organ Donation and she outlines her passion for organ donation which began whilst working in Intensive care. She gives advice for anyone working in a leadership position and how as nurses we should not be put off by applying for roles traditional done by doctors.

In the first episode of the new Leadership in Nursing series Laura Whitehead talks with Nicki Credland. Nicki is the Chair of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses and is a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department at the University of Hull. Nicki gives advice of anyone wishing to take on a leadership role and outlines her career to date. Nicki gives an insight into her work with the BACCN and how this has been impacted by COVID-19. Nicki has also taken on the role as lead critical care nurse educator for the Nightingale Harrogate and she discusses the challenges she faced during this year.