Second year of the Queen’s Nurse programme in Scotland begins

2018 Queen’s Nurses Scotland

The 21 community nurses selected to be the latest Queen’s Nurse candidates have gathered together for the first time as the 2018 programme gets under way.

The group travelled from across Scotland for a week-long residential at Balbirnie House in Fife to begin their nine-month journey to becoming Queen’s Nurses.

It is only the second time QNIS has run the programme after 20 community nurses gained the title in 2017 – marking the return of Queen’s Nurses to Scotland after a break of almost 50 years.

The new cohort of candidates cover diverse fields including a Diana Children’s Nurse, a MS and MND specialist, an offshore medic and occupational health and safety advisor, and an ADHD nurse specialist.

Nurses providing care to people in the community who need support with a wide range of issues such as substance misuse, dermatology or infant feeding also feature.

Those working in general practice, community mental health, district nursing, school nursing, care home nursing and health visiting complete the group.

All candidates were nominated by their organisations for demonstrating high quality, compassionate care. They then completed a written application and were chosen to go forward for the programme after attending a selection event where they impressed a panel of nursing leaders.

The 21 nurses selected represent communities across the country – from remote and rural locations to areas spanning large and complex urban settings.

Clare Cable, Chief Executive and Nurse Director of QNIS, said: “The residential week at Balbirnie House is a great opportunity for participants to get to know one another, to appreciate the diversity of their roles and work settings and acknowledge their shared commitment to providing the best possible care for the people they serve.

“The week involves masterclasses, action learning, conversations with inspirational leaders and walking in the wonderful grounds. There is an emphasis on mindfulness, deep reflection and connecting participants with their creativity.

“The alchemy created by the participants supported by the facilitators, speakers, and the team at Balbirnie House has been extraordinary.

“This has been a wonderful start as the new Queen’s Nurse candidates set off on their nine-month Journey of Discovery on the programme.”

In the words of some of the candidates:

“I had a fantastic week at Balbirnie; it was truly incredible – the best thing I have ever done by far. I met twenty incredible people, who I hope will be friends for life, and three amazing teachers who will continue to influence me in the future.”

“It was an amazing week. It sounds like a cliche but it has been a genuine journey – it has been reflective and challenging and I’ve discovered bits of my personality that I didn’t know where there. I have found new lifelong friends with shared values.”