Returning from Higher Education to Work in the NHS during the Pandemic 

On leaving the NHS in 2007, I started my first full time post in Higher Education at a local university.

I had really enjoyed my time in clinical practice, mostly in community nursing roles. During this time I had always been interested in and passionate about nurse education and in supporting learners, which eventually led me to the university role.

While in Higher Education I held a number of roles at different institutions, from module leader to programme leader of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. My last role as Deputy Head of Learning and Teaching was one which allowed me to work across different professional groups other than healthcare alone.

Working in Higher Education was very fulfilling; however, I missed being part of the NHS and during the initial outbreak of the pandemic, even more so.

Being passionate about education and the provision of quality clinical learning environments enabled me to be part of the NHS again, in my new role as Head of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Education for an NHS Trust. Although this new role is different to my previous Higher Education role, making the transition between clinical practice (Higher Education) and working for the NHS is not impossible.

Re-joining the NHS has been a humbling experience. The dedication, care and compassion of its staff echoes memories of my clinical practice days but re-forged in a universal approach to collegiate working, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As I am still a registered nurse, I offered to help undertake some Covid vaccine clinics recently and although roles and responsibilities have changed over the years, I am still a nurse at heart and proud to be so.

It takes the support of colleagues, empowerment, and never to lose sight of the professional heritage you hold. I feel that being part of the Queen’s Nursing Institute fosters the promotion of such values across both education and clinical practice.

Dr Guy Tucker PhD, Fellow of the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

Head of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Education | South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust