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.”
| Joanne Anderson | General Practice Nurse | NHS Ayrshire and Arran |
| Polly Buchanan | Community Dermatology Nurse Practitioner | NHS Fife |
| Tracey Clusker | Team Manager (Substance Misuse) | NHS Lothian |
| Kirsteen Coady | Advanced Nurse Practitioner/GPN | NHS Grampian |
| Moira Flett | Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Specialist | NHS Orkney |
| Lyndsey Forsyth | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Nurse Specialist | NHS Fife |
| Bob Gardiner | Offshore Medic and Occupational Health and Safety Advisor | TAQA Bratani |
| Lorraine Haining | Specialist Nurse Practitioner (Dementia) | NHS Dumfries and Galloway |
| Gerry Hastie | Community Mental Health Nurse | NHS Fife |
| Brenda Kirk | Specialist Health Visitor | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
| Julie Lennon | Advanced Nurse Practitioner/GPN | NHS Highland |
| Coleen McLeod | Substance Misuse/Mental Health Liaison Nurse | NHS Western Isles |
| Brigid McMaster | Clinical Nurse Coordinator Out-of-hours district nursing | NHS Ayrshire and Arran |
| Caroline Porter | Diana Children’s Nurse – West of Scotland | CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) |
| Rachel Pulman | Looked After Children’s Nurse/Child Protection Advisor | NHS Borders |
| Keri Ratter | School Nurse | NHS Shetland |
| Cathanna Smith | Advanced Nurse Practitioner/GPN | NHS Highland |
| Elizabeth Smith | Community Infant Feeding Nurse | NHS Ayrshire and Arran |
| Margaret Ann Williamson | Health Visitor Team Lead | NHS Forth Valley |
| Madeline Wilson | Clinical Team Leader – District Nursing | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde |
| Lesley Wylie | Home Manager | Erskine Park Home |
I have the honour of being part of this truly exceptional group of community nurses. We have all commenced on an incredible journey and the change in myself in a week is incredible! I have a new group of life-long friends and look forward to repaying the faith that QNIS has shown in us.
To be part of the QNIS 2018 cohort truly is a privilege to be part of this journey with 20 other truly humbling community nurses is beyond words. I would like to thank QNIS for this opportunity and Erskine for believing in me and supporting me. And not forgetting the rest of the cohort for making this experience very very special and for their friendship and knowledge.
I feel privileged to be part of this 2018 cohort and intend to keep connected with the wonderful people I was fortunate enough to meet at Balbirnie. It truly is a life-changing experience and I am kooking forward to the rest of this journey with enthusiasm and positivity.