NMC Test of Competence for Mental Health Nurses CBT

My nursing career began in 2008 at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Guyana. This was merely a stepping stone to a much more diverse path within the field, and subsequently, I went on to acquire my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Guyana (2013-2015), whilst working as a Clinical Nurse at Woodlands Hospital (Guyana).

In 2016, I pursued a Postgraduate Degree in Nursing Education at the University of Miami, which generated a renewed love for my profession through the supervision and mentoring of aspiring nurses. Following this, I went on to study a Master’s in Health Administration at Capella University.

Currently, I'm practising as a Clinical Nurse in the United Kingdom and, having experienced the journey to date, I chose to become an author with StudyPRN so that I could support those who wish to embark on this journey in their career.

I’ve completed numerous qualifications including a BSc Physiology (University of London), RGN (St George’s, London), Master of Nursing (Cardiff), MSc Social Science Research (University of Glamorgan), and a PgDip Community Health Studies (Cardiff).

Following my PGCEd (Cardiff), I registered with the NMC as a nurse teacher and was primarily involved in life sciences and research teaching across a range of academic levels. As a Principal Lecturer, I received a Faculty Excellence and Innovation in Student Learning Support Award (2011) for my work in the organisation and management of provision of support for disabled and dyslexic students. I was Programme Leader for the Professional Practice MSc and achieved HEA Senior Fellow status in 2016.

I’ve held posts in surgical, intensive care and community nursing, with research interests and publications in complementary and alternative medicine, and disability support in professional education.

In 2020, I was awarded a Community Health Studies PgDip (Cardiff). Currently, I’m registered with the NMC as a Specialist Practitioner in District Nursing and am a commissioned author with StudyPRN.

I qualified as a nurse in 1988 and have been very fortunate to have held many clinical, educational and managerial positions within the NHS, Higher Education and a professional body.

During my career I have completed several diplomas and degrees, including a Master’s in Education and a PGCE. One of my main areas of experience and interest has been working with international students and nurses. My passion is education and I believe that everyone has a right to achieve their true potential and goals anytime in life.

I’m a retired Nurse Practitioner, I qualified at The Middlesex Hospital London (1977-1981) then as Midwife at St David’s Hospital, Cardiff (1981-1983).

I have worked as a Practice Nurse (1984-93); a Nurse Practitioner (Exeter University 2001); a Research Nurse in the Department of General Practice (University of Wales College of Medicine) working on ‘Behaviour Change’ projects (1993-2000); with the Marie Curie service; as a Nurse Facilitator (Cardiff LHB) for a health education project with BME communities in Cardiff (2004-2008). I have also taught a Minor Illness module for nurses.

My most recent work was as a Clinical Case Manager, which involved the care of patients with complex chronic illness in the community, a job in which I worked across Primary, Secondary and Social Services (2008-2013).

I registered as a Mental Health Nurse in 2018 after attaining a first-class honours degree from the University of Salford. Post qualification, I have worked for the NHS in my home city of Birmingham. Currently, I work as a senior nurse within the inpatient Assertive Outreach unit. I provide specialist assessment and treatment for individuals who are at a high risk of disengagement, who often have complex, severe, and enduring mental illnesses, and who present with comorbidities and significant risk profiles.

I have several professional accolades, including being an alumni nurse of the Florence Nightingale Foundation, and last year, I won the organisation's Rising Star Award.

I have a strong interest in service development, and despite my relatively junior grade, I have led several significant projects that have been adopted organisationally-wide. These include lead authoring the trust’s inpatient nurse operational guidance on the role of a named nurse, integrating the trust’s referral and assessment process for psychiatric intensive care into the clinical notes system, and a successful quality improvement project aimed at reducing the administration of additional medication for the management of agitation and distress.

Beyond service development, my professional interests primarily lay in complex psychopharmacology, least restrictive practice, harm reduction, and the advancement of student education. Naturally, education is important to me, which extends to assisting others in my role as Medical Editor for StudyPRN’s Mental Health resource.

I have spent over 35 years of my career in nursing and midwifery education, working in universities in England and Wales and, more recently, in the position of Head of School at the University of South Wales. My research experience is in the qualitative field and I am an engaged in current research projects.

I am passionate about high-quality education of nurses and midwives and currently am a tutor with Learna Ltd, an Associate Lecturer with the Open University and run my own research, education and coaching consultancy.

I have spent my career in nursing and education, developing a specialist interest in diabetes. Having lectured at Cardiff University and the University of Glamorgan, I became Head of Care Sciences at the University of South Wales.

My research and publications have mainly been in the areas of diabetes and role development. I'm currently a member of Nursing Now (Cymru/Wales) and also head a Welsh Government sponsored nursing leadership development programme in Uganda.

I am a Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing at the University of South Wales. I have been a registered nurse for 35 years. I have a BSc (Hons) in Computer Studies from Glamorgan University and an MSc in Healthcare Professional Education from the University of South Wales.

I have been involved in the education and training of nurses and healthcare staff since 2006. I have two chapters published in text books for nursing associates, and I have a passion for the development and education of healthcare support workers.