My Background...
Started as a live in carer supporting adults with spinal injuries. Prior to nurse training, I worked in a dementia nursing home. With all that it allowed my increased interest to develop further my clinical skills and become a registered nurse. I acquired my nursing diploma at Kingston University in 2009 and achieved BSc (Honours) in Healthcare Science (Psychosocial Interventions) in 2016. I have 13 years’ experience of working as a qualified mental health nurse.
For 11 years I was working in an acute mixed inpatient ward for 18–75-year-olds of which I have started as Band 5 to being an Interim Ward Manager for almost two years before acquiring a permanent post as Ward Manager for older adults in-patient ward. Working with older adults both in the community and inpatient allowed me to develop an understanding of the care and support they need. My clinical experience to date has involved working with patients with severe and enduring mental health problems ranging from paranoid schizophrenia, early onset of psychosis, emotionally unstable personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder and cognitive impairment such as dementia.
My teaching achievements so far:
- I have been fortunate to facilitate several teaching programmes on behalf of the trust.
- I am a Risk Assessment Training and Education trainer.
- As a preceptorship facilitator, I focus the training on shift co-ordination, care planning and Mental Health Act.
- I facilitated Bands 2-4 Care Certificate sessions.
- I completed teaching a cohort of RGNs at Kingston Hospital about management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia as part of an integrated project with acute hospitals.
- For 19 months, I had the opportunity to be a Lecturer Practitioner at Kingston university Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing and Nursing Associates with the University of West London (UWL)
- As part of the simulation team (UWL), I led the simulated ligature training in partnership with three NHS Trusts.
- Currently a Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing at Kingston University.
- At present completing Introduction to Learning and Teaching to acquire Fellow in Higher Education.