Why did you become a nurse?
I was working as a nanny and it literally came into my head. I had no previous desire to be a nurse. It was a strangely overpowering decision, which I had no doubt at all about.
How has your career developed since you started nursing?
I have fond memories of my first staff nurse post where I won a team award, back in 1990, for a patient self-medication pilot. I worked in the community and then trained as a health visitor. In 2002, I did the V200 and was one of the first nurses to learn to prescribe. Following this, I led a 4-year regional project developing non-medical prescribing across south east England. In 2007, I set up my own business, nmprescribing, delivering non-medical prescribing (NMP) continuous professional development (CPD) nationally, and at the same time I started teaching prescribing at university. I am external examiner for all of the prescribing programmes at University of Hertfordshire, and I sit on the Nurse Prescribers Advisory Group, working with the British National Formulary to review the Nurse Prescribers' Formulary.
What does your current role entail?
I am fortunate to have returning customers who commission nmprescribing to deliver NMP CPD year-on-year. I manage all aspects of this business and plan and co-ordinate our NMP annual conference. As prescribing programme nurse lead, I teach and support students learning to be prescribers at Medway School of Pharmacy, which has a collaborative relationship with both University of Greenwich and the University of Kent.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
The best part is meeting non-medical prescribers from all over the UK and learning from them. I enjoy the reputation I have achieved; the highlight of my career was being invited to the House of Commons following the launch of the new Nursing and Midwifery Council education standards. I love teaching and watching students develop into safe and effective prescribers. I worst part of my job is when travelling is hindered.
How do you see your role developing?
I would like to look at using technology to deliver CPD nationally for non-medical prescribers. I have no plans for retirement and consider myself very fortunate to enjoy what I do so much.
If you weren't a nurse, what would you be?
I would like to be an artist making beautiful things from glass or silver (or both).
What would you do if you were health secretary?
I would focus attention on the use of new technology on the front line, to make sure that the NHS is at the forefront of developments rather than continually trailing. I would make sure that the decision-makers had business development skills as a mandatory part of their employment, in an effort to help reduce so much unnecessary waste.