Biography

I came into nursing at the age of 25, having been to university to study non- health related subjects. It was not a career path I had given much thought to, but after caring for several members of my family, I decided I was actually quite good at it! I began my nursing career at Manchester Royal Infirmary, in acute medicine, before moving closer to home (St. Helens) to work in a Young Offenders Prison. I did this for 3 years and enjoyed the fact that each day would mean someting different, despite being in such a controlled environment. My next role was as a community nurse and this is where my heart is. Nursing patients in their own homes, particularly palliative patients, is hugely rewarding. Upon moving to North Lancs, I worked in the local hospice as Sister in Hospice at Home, caring for patients at the end of life, in their own home. This offered its own challenges in terms of covering a huge geographical area, and this made the work all the more rewarding when we managed to care for the patient as they wished. Whilst there, I met one of the lecturers from University of Cumbria, and struck up a discussion about how she came to work here. It was then that I decided that my career not only lay in education, but that it was a very real possibility. I had always thought it would not be an opportunity available to me. Within 6 months I had handed in my notice.

I am currently at the end of my PgCert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and look forward to my next piece of professional development.

Qualifications and memberships

University of Cumbria - PgCert Teaching and Learning in Higher Education - Award pending.

Leading from the Middle - Was certified by Chartered Management Institute - membershi[ now lapsed.

Liverpool John Moores University - Specialist Community Practitioner with V100 - 1st Class Honours degree.

Bolton University - Mentorship - Pass

Edgehill University - Diploma in nursing (Adult) - Pass

Cowley High Sixth Form:

'A' levels

English literature - A

Physical education - A

Biology - D

General studies - E

Academic and research interests

My academic and research interests are in:

Teaching and learning - particularly the theory- practice gap.

Palliative care

Prison health

Alcohol abuse

Health inequalities