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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
I am a Practice Educator for Midwifery based in Buckinghamshire. I share the responsibility of supporting our student midwives in practice at two hospital Trusts; Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville.
I gained my general nursing qualification in Manchester and then qualified as a midwife at Wycombe School of Midwifery (as it was known then!) in 1985.
Further postgraduate studies in 2004-6 resulted in successfully achieving my PgDip Ed, and inclusion onto the NMCs register as Midwifery Lecturer/Practice Educator.
Even during my nursing career, I held an interest in women’s health, working firstly in gynaecology, then neonatology.
Once qualified as a midwife, I gained valuable experience in all areas of midwifery including delivery suite, antenatal and postnatal care.
I spent 8 years working in the community, where I developed a keen interest in the holistic care of women and their families in their home environment.
During this period, I was lucky enough to also work as an independent midwife with a colleague I had trained with. Together we cared for women giving birth at home, as well as managing some unexpected events such as a breech birth!
What better job satisfaction can there be when a woman in town greets you with a six foot tall, 21 year old ‘baby’ whose birth you attended – and she still remembers you – and you still remember her!
I was an active steward for my local branch of the RCM for a number of years, and believe that staff in the workplace should be treated respectfully, considerately and fairly – in much the same way as we are expected to care for our clients.
In what I refer to as my ‘wilderness years’, I spent a year as a Practice Nurse within a GP surgery, followed by another year working within our local fertility service, where I gained valuable knowledge and insight into professions allied to midwifery.
I also taught GCSE & A Level Health & Social Care and Child Development
Before joining the University of Bedfordshire, my role within the Trust was that of clinical midwife and Practice Development Midwife, with responsibility for in-service training of qualified staff.
As a practising midwife, I always enjoyed working with students and as a midwifery mentor, felt privileged to be a part of their learning journey.
I still enjoy all aspects of clinical/skills teaching, and will shortly undertake the Neonatal Life Support Instructors Course.
