The Queen’s Nurse title is awarded to twenty selected clinical leaders each year. They must be community-based registered nurses, midwives or health visitors and they receive the title having completed a nine-month development programme which is designed to enable clinical leaders in Scotland’s communities to become catalysts for change in their communities. The programme is a journey of discovery, giving candidates the time and space to discover their skills as facilitators of improvement.
Each summer health boards and other employers of community nurses are asked to consider who they would like to nominate. Territorial health boards are invited to nominate two candidates (larger boards can nominate more) and independent employers may nominate individuals. QNIS does not accept direct applications outside of the nominations process.
Candidates need the support of their line manager, who will act as sponsor during the programme and their executive lead nurse, GP Partner or CEO. Having been nominated, the individuals concerned work on their application for submission in the autumn. Those shortlisted are invited to selection events in January. The programme runs from February through to October and the awards are made at the end of November.
The new Queen’s Nurses work in communities across Scotland, representing a wonderfully diverse range of clinical specialities. The first cohort was selected in 2017 – you can meet them and the subsequent cohorts here.
If you are interested in becoming a Queen’s Nurse have a look at the excellence profile below, which forms the basis of the development programme and speak to Queen’s Nurses in your area. You may then wish to have a conversation with your line manager about the system in place for nomination locally.
Queen’s Nurses…. Inspiring Others by making a difference:
They find opportunities (or circumstances find them) for changing how things are currently done, recognising how things should and could be, making things better for individuals, families and communities and/or helping others to make a significant impact.
Queen’s Nurses…. Inspiring Others with tenacity and resilience:
They find their way across boundaries, around obstacles, through bureaucracy and successfully challenge “but we don’t have control over that” or “that will never work here” attitudes. They just keep bouncing back, finding new doors to open each time one closes.
Queen’s Nurses…. Inspiring Others by bringing people with them:
Through “coming from the heart”, their enthusiasm and persuasive nature, they create a ground swell of support and recognition that has “carried the day”, getting others to commit and get things done.
Queen’s Nurses…. Inspiring Others with humility and reflection:
They listen deeply, seeking to understand what really matters. They approach life reflectively, always learning and are kind to themselves. They will sometimes be surprised by personal recognition for their achievements, and are quick to attribute success to the contribution of others.
If you’d like to read more about the Queen’s Nurse programme have a look at the two articles below: