Nurse Academic

Career profile: Kate Davies, Nurse Academic

What is your job?

I am a Nurse Academic (A Nurse teaching in a University). I teach qualified health care professionals Non-Medical prescribing, which is how to prescribe medicines which are relevant to their clinical practice. This involves teaching on how medicines work amongst all body systems, the legalities behind prescribing, and also professional issues. I also teach qualified children’s nurses about the principles in caring for children with an endocrine disorder – paediatric endocrinology, which is the study of children's hormones.

How did you become a Nurse Academic?

I qualified as a children’s nurse initially, and had a range of various staff nurse jobs on children’s medical and surgical wards, intensive care, and then I fell into paediatric endocrinology. I was a specialist nurse for over 20 years, and always enjoyed the teaching part of my role. I decided to follow my interests and moved into academia, to teach undergraduate and postgraduate university students who are training to work in children’s nursing. I now teach Non-Medical Prescribing to not just children’s nurses, but other healthcare professionals – including general nurses, pharmacists, paramedics, and physiotherapists.

What do you do day-to-day?

Day to day there is a lot going on behind the scenes! We have six cohorts of students running throughout the year, so there is always one cohort scheduled for teaching each week. I will either be teaching – face to face, or online – or marking samples of work that need to be submitted. Then there is the actual marking, which can take a lot of time – but deservedly so, as the students put a lot of effort into their coursework. I also supervise students studying for their dissertations as part of their Masters course, and I meet with my students to give regular tutorials as part of their studies.

As well as my role at London South Bank University, I am still involved in aspects of endocrine patient care. I am on the Nurse Committee for the Society for Endocrinology where we have regular meetings developing training resources for all nurses working in endocrinology across the country. I also work with the Royal College of Nursing and the British Society of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes on a paediatric competency framework. A competency framework looks at skill sets and abilities of nurses at different levels in their career, and help set aims and objectives in order for them to provide the best care for their patients.

What qualifications and skills do you need for your job?

Initially – I had to qualify as a nurse! In order to teach at this level, I had to have a Masters degree, and also a Post Graduate Certificate in Practice Education. Obviously, in order to teach Non-Medical Prescribing, I have to be a Non-Medical Prescriber myself as well! Lots of patience and empathy is needed in this role – but also needing to be firm but fair, as I am teaching people how to prescribe medicines, and there is no room for mistakes. I have to be highly organised with my time, and I am constantly making ‘to do’ lists, as there always seems to be so many plates spinning at the same time!

Why did you want to become a Nurse Academic?

I wanted to become a children’s nurse originally as I remember being in hospital as a child and thought the nurses were lovely! Obviously, times have changed – but I always felt that I wanted to make sure that a child in my care had the best care possible. As my career has progressed, it’s still focusing on the best care for children – but teaching others how to do so.

What do you love about your job?

I love that moment when I am teaching and students ‘get it’ – and seeing them actively listening and paying attention. Often, I always refer back to practice to make it real for them. I love meeting new people, and travelling to meetings and conferences to teach, share best practice, and re-connect with friends and colleagues.

What do you find difficult about your job?

Maintaining a good work life balance – not being able to switch off at 5pm. Sometimes when students get angry or upset it can be hard not to take it personally, but we have to put ourselves in their shoes, try and understand their difficulties, and give them all the support we can.

What advice would you give someone interested in becoming a Nurse Academic?

Be prepared to work hard – it never stops – but the challenge is rewarding. Once you have some nursing experience, if you enjoy the teaching side of your role, get involved in the Practice Education teams at your hospital, where you will become involved in ward-based teaching. From there, you may be able to start doing some teaching at your local university, where your student nurses are training. Make links with the staff working there, and then keep an ear out for job vacancies. It’s also an idea to develop an enquiring mind and become involved in research – publishing in academic journals is expected, so see what research studies are going on in your clinical area and see if you can get involved. Keep an eye on academic journals to see the kinds of studies that Nurse Academics are involved in.

How might your job change in the future?

I’m currently also studying for a PhD, so I’m hoping my job will be more research focused in future. My PhD is bringing me into contact with patients again, which I am really enjoying, so I am hoping after I finish my studies I will be able to carry on in that role somehow.