Fran Nice
Health Visitor
NHS Grampian
“We get to know the whole family and are uniquely placed to support and empower them to maximise their health and wellbeing. The first 1001 days of a child’s life are vitally important, as this is when there is a rapid increase of growth and brain development. From antenatal visits, I share with parents how their positive responses to their baby make strong neural connection. In later visits, highlighting to parents how their baby is trying to connect, through something small such as turning their head towards their voice and gazing attentively can start to develop a strong attachment.”
“Being a parent can be hard, especially navigating the many changes. Working with families, highlighting their strengths and what is going well is important especially for new parents. This also provides a safe space for families who are experiencing domestic abuse, are concerned about their child or are struggling with household poverty to feel heard. Being there with a family, letting them know they are not alone can make a difference.”
“Knowing where support is available and what could be helpful to children and their families in their community is a key part of the health visiting role. I remember when the oil and gas crash hit Aberdeen in 2015, many people faced unemployment. Families were suddenly not able to feed themselves. Through working with community groups, a foodbank cupboard was started in the local area and provided a lifeline for many.”
“I feel more confident since embarking on the Queen’s Nurse journey. Before starting the process, I was unsure in my ability. When I look at my submission video and I cannot believe how uncertain I was. Now, I have more self-awareness and I am less self-critical, I have the confidence to let things emerge slowly. I also feel the programme has helped me to find my voice, improving how I advocate for children and how I communicate with colleagues.”
“My whole family are nurses. As a child, my Granny used to tell me proudly how she was a Queen’s Nurse. I am grateful and proud to call myself a Queen’s Nurse too.”
“As part of the programme I began developing a project focusing on the support available for newly qualified health visitors. Health visiting is not easy, as a universal service we can have complex caseloads and available to all of these families. I had the experience when a practice teacher, of a newly qualified health visitor who left then their health visiting post after just 18 months. I felt like a failure. Yet, this learning, has sparked my passion and I am keen to develop this area of further.”
“When I consider what we do as health visitors I am always reminded of the Greek proverb “a society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit”. For families, we nurture, empower, encourage and stay alongside, always hoping they will grow strong and realise their potential.”