Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing

Some moons ago when my two children were small I worked in primary schools as a Special Needs Support Teacher for children who needed additional support. In particular my strength was working with children with Dyspraxia. I developed a workshop club for children to build on the development of social skills and co-ordination.

The above role complemented my interest in Psychology and I successfully completed my Psychology BSc at The Open University. The experience of learning, I found, was overwhelmingly exciting and colourful, meeting people from all walks of life and varied experiences whilst studying.

I have recently joined the University of Bedfordshire from Practice. I qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 2009. My mental health nursing back-round is primarily Acute Adult Mental Health Inpatient Service. My experience however includes working in the Community, Rehabilitation, Home Support Team, Crisis and Assessment Treatment Team and Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.

I have been at the forefront of Service Change including a Rapid Assessment and Discharge Unit and 72 hours Assessment Unit. I believe in active promotion of Recovery for service users and therapeutic engagement as a vital means to learn about the service user's story and collaborative Recovery orientated care planning.

I enjoyed working as a Mentor with nursing students and contributing to innovative developments within my work area. I was awarded a place at the Florence Nightingale 100^th Year Commemorative Service at Westminster Abbey for 'contributions to the Trust.'

Following completion of my MH Nursing Degree, I undertook my MSc in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. This involved engaging with clients in the community whilst working full time in my substantive post. I also completed a three day training programme of CBT for Psychosis.

My two children are now both taller than I and are pursuing their own interests as young people.

I walk my Irish Terrier dog Hunnie regularly to keep fit and have recently embarked on a Swing Dance course where I discovered I have two left feet!

I come from a large family background and very much enjoy with a passion meeting new people. I am a regular attendee at the Emirates Stadium, support The Team.

Qualifications

• MSc (Hons) (Taught) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - London Metropolitan University
• BSc (Hons) Mental Health Nursing (First), RMN - University of Hertfordshire
• BSc (Hons) Psychology - The Open University
• ENB 998 Mentorship - University of Hertfordshire
• Leadership Academy NHS - University of Hertfordshire

Teaching Role

• Mentor
• SBARD
• Recovery Orientated Care Plans
• Safe Observation
• Safety Brief

Research Interests

• Sexual Issues in Mental Health
• Carers and Families of Service-users
• The Development of Champion Mental Health Nursing Students

Recent Research Projects

• Attitudes of cognitive behaviour therapists in discussing sexual issues with clients
• Do mental health nurses discuss sexual issues with service users?

Service to the Academic/Professional Community

• Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC
• Royal College of Nursing, RCN
• British Psychological Society, BPS
• British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies, BABCP
• Royal Society of Medicine, RSM

Contact Details

University of Bedfordshire
Butterfield Park campus
Unit 260-270
Butterfield
Great Marlings
Luton LU2 8DL

T: +44 (0)1582 743853
E: renate.taylor@beds.ac.uk