Steps to Practice Nursing
Biography
Reena Patel BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing (2004)
Practice Nurse / Specialist Nurse in Diabetes at Willows Health in Leicester (base practice The Willows Medical Centre – Prof Mo Roshan & Partners)
Additional roles include: CCG Nurse Advisor for Leicester City / Nurse Representative for RCGP Faculty Board Leicester City / Lead Nurse at Dr SKIN Leicester
National Award Winning Nurse - General Practice Awards ''Nurse of the year 2017'' whilst at Croft Medical Centre / Dr Dalby & Partners
Secondary care experience include working in a Stroke Unit as a newly qualified for 1 year and Accident & Emergency Department at LRI for 2 years. Then went into Primary care to become a practice nurse.
Special interests - Anti coagulation / NHS Leadership & Management / CQC / Education & Training / Clinical Publishing and health promotion including via social media @reens.put.ur.health.first
So to become a practice, there are a few key requirements:
1. Nursing Qualification in Adult Nursing - NMC. If newly qualified you can still work as a HCA until the pin number arrives.
2. Key courses to train as a practice nurse once you are a qualified nurse can be done as per personal development or practice need (include theory and practical sign off competences by a clinical mentor) :
a) cytology
b) immunisations / vaccinations
c) travel health
d) chronic disease management
e) contraception and sexual health
f) phlebotomy
g) INR / Anti coagulation
h) infection prevention / audits
3. A formal academic course including the practical key courses can also be done instead of individual courses via universities such as DMU e.g.
Most practices especially due to current change in the pandemic, would welcome an experienced practice nurse looking for a change or additional hours but also a new practice nurse. Such practices would provide and support relevant training. In Leicester we have an excellent training and development programme with a very supporting CCG, including Lead Nurses working within the CCGS between LLR. Most practices and CCGs are merging to work in a more feasible manner now. Hence, providing shares resources and support this would be the ideal time to join the primary care work force with a greater opportunity to join the digital NHS work force.
for further information see:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/workforce/building-the-general-practice-workforce/
