Nurse Educators

Sue Harness is a Programme Lead for Community Specialist Practice and also a Queen’s Nurse.

She writes:

‘I have been in my current role for the last 7 years, having had a background working in District Nursing for the past 20 years.

The role allows me to reflect and use the knowledge and skills gained from practice to teach and develop the district nurses of the future. I teach modules such as Public Health Practice, non-medical prescribing and Leadership as well as District Nursing.

I support the students to learn and extend their knowledge by educating and influencing them, both in university and in their placement. Throughout the course I visit the students in practice, working closely with their Mentor. This is to ensure that the student is performing well and that they are being given the experience and support to develop their professional practice.

On successful completion of the course, the student becomes a qualified Community Specialist Practitioner and is able to apply for posts. To date, the vast majority of students who have completed the course are now working as District Nurses giving the quality of care to patients within the home setting.

This is a very rewarding role as I feel that by working with the students I can contribute to the quality of care provision by educating district nurses to deliver the highest standard of care to all patients being nursed at home.’