Meet some of our Professional Nurse Advocates

I’m really passionate about supporting people from a PNA perspective. Being able to provide staff with that safe space to really speak openly and honestly about anything affecting them is so important.

This doesn’t just have to be related to the workplace but anything that is happening around them that may affect their well-being. Clinical staff spend a lot of time looking after people, it's vital those staff know someone is there for them too, that they feel heard and know ‘its ok to not be ok’.

The PNA training has helped me to continue to invest in staff well-being and support. It’s really rewarding to support individuals to recognise stress and burnout and equip them with the skills and knowledge to find solutions.

There are so many stressors and challenges that looking after our workforce and more importantly each other is more important than ever.

I have always enjoyed helping people and consequently, the wellbeing of my colleagues has been important to me in all of the jobs that I have had. My work with LSCft, NHS England Newly Registered Decision Making Council and the RCN Newly Registered Nurses Network made me acutely aware of the difficulties facing my fellow healthcare colleagues both locally and nationally. I want to try and make things better.

Providing good patient care is a vital part of everything we do but as Norm Kelly said, "You can't pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first."

I believe that the PNA service and being able to offer restorative clinical supervision is a fantastic resource to help colleagues deal with the challenges that our work and lives present to help us to get back to providing the great work that we do. Being able to provide staff with that safe space to really speak openly and honestly about anything effecting them is so important.

I have 25 years of experience as a nurse, it has been a bumpy journey and I have had highs and lows. In this time there have totally been moments that I should have focused on my wellbeing when I didn’t. Experience now tells me that our own wellbeing is important not only for ourselves but for others around us including at work and in our home life. By becoming a PNA I can now support colleagues with their wellbeing by offering them the opportunity to have reflective discussions which can reduce stress and increase resilience. By becoming a PNA I can have a positive impact on a colleague’s wellbeing and this will result in more positive experiences for patients. My hope is that by working as a PNA team we can increase the awareness of the PNA role and accessibility so that our colleagues know we are available to support them. I know there have been times in my career that I would definitely have reached out to a PNA.

I’m over the moon to be starting my PNA journey. As a nurse, wellbeing and professional safety is something I’ve always been passionate about and I’m beyond excited to skill myself up to better support our colleagues. 

Some of you may know I often described my role as a practice educator as winning the work lottery and a large part of my role is supporting staff through supervision and reflection. I am sure that this training will be an amazing way to not only scaffold my existing practice but will hopefully uplift and support our workforce long-term.