Senior Lecturer in Child Nursing

I passionately believe that becoming a Nurse is a privilege. As a recently retired Matron for Children’s Nursing, I believe I have the clinical knowledge and experience to represent children, young people and their families, ensuring that their voices, experiences and needs are heard by those coming into the profession.

Children’s Nursing covers a period of massive physical, mental, emotional growth and development, involving huge changes and exciting challenges. Learning how to understand and engage effectively with this complex group, whilst including their family is a priority to ensure that they receive the high quality evidenced based child and family centred care that they deserve.

The course units that I design and teach positively enhance the students learning experience, aiming to inspire a desire for students to self-investigate and expand their knowledge base to the ultimate benefit of their patients. Understanding normal health and development is essential as it allows us to recognise when things go wrong, early recognition of illness allows the multi-disciplinary team to work collaboratively to effectively manage the child’s health needs

I enjoy adopting a creative and innovative approach to teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. My course units include lectures, group work, simulation sessions, practical skills days, and seminars with invited experts from our clinical partners.

Qualifications

Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice – University of Bedfordshire

BSc Hons Nursing – University of Bedfordshire

Registered Sick Children’s Nurse – Westminster Children’s Hospital

Registered General Nurse – Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Additional Qualifications in Paediatric High Dependency Nursing, Paediatric Oncology Nursing, Paediatric Day Surgery,

Teaching Expertise

I have always been interested in continuing learning and have for several years worked as a Practice Development /Clinical Facilitator within a local Hospital. This allowed me to work with both undergraduate students in clinical practice, and with qualified staff ensuring that they remained up to date. As part of this role I was actively involved in ensuring all Paediatric and Neonatal hospital guidelines were up to date and evidenced based.

During this time I also undertook my Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice whilst working 1 day a week for 2 local universities.

I have now been working permanently for the University of Bedfordshire for a year and with the support of my Team continue to develop my expertise in formal Teaching practice.

Publications

Contribution of a Chapter – Meningitis, published in Children and Young People's Nursing at a Glance: Alan Glasper (Editor), Jane Coad (Editor), Jim Richardson (Editor) ISBN: 978-1-119-52064-1 April 2018 Wiley-Blackwell

Contact Details

Email: catherine.swailes@beds.ac.uk