Have you met your Practice Nurse?
Over the coming weeks we're highlighting some of the key roles in your general practice health team. Today meet Rachel - Practice Nurse
Around 400 additional team members have been recruited into healthcare roles at general practices in our area since 2019/2020 - offering patients access to an expanded team of health professionals in addition to their practice GP or nurse. This larger team now includes pharmacists, mental health practitioners, paramedic practitioners and social prescribers, who work together to support patients to get the right care when needed.
I love working with a primary care team who bring different skills and experiences together for the good of the patient. Everyone respects each other and we are constantly learning from each other. It’s the best job! I love it!
Growing up I was fascinated by anything medical. Always wanting to ask question of the school nurse or, if I had to visit my own GP surgery, being distracted by the instruments and the room - I loved a clinical setting! At the time I just didn’t realise it would lead me towards such a rewarding career.
As a Practice Nurse who specialises in woman's health, I support patients with contraception, preventative screening (such as smear teats), and I run the baby clinics with colleagues.
I see our wider patient population when they need injections administered, bloods taken or if there are minor injuries which require wound care. No two days are the same.
I started my learning with a degree in human biology. I have always been interested in the human body and knew I wanted to do something in the field but at that time I was not quite sure what.
When I started to look at the options I quickly knew it had to be a role that allowed me to work in the community and after completing my nurses training I became a District Nurse.
A move overseas saw me take up the role of a practice manager which gave me a true insight to how a GP practice works and on my return to the UK I was confident that general practice is where I wanted to nurse.
Being a Practice nurse in the community is a privilege. I am able to support patients throughout their health journey and I know I am supported by my skilled colleagues so we are able to wrap care around our patients.
Practice Nursing is a growing role. I love the variety of my work and how I have been supported to specialise in areas of health that interest me so I can give the best to my patients.
I am now on the next stage of my learning and am training to be able to prescribe.
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I’d like patients to remember, that we all have our specific skills and experience and that’s why answering questions as fully as possible will help to direct you to the best member of the team who can support you. The wider team is always on hand and we work together closely to ensure patients are getting the best care.
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Practice Nurses have been an important part of the multi skilled team within your GP practice for many years.
A practice nurse is a registered nurse who works alongside the GPs and other team members, providing high-quality, patient-centred care, holistic care to patients, including those with complex needs.
You might see a Practice Nurse for a health assessment, treatment or dressing of a minor injury or wound, management of your on-going health condition or for routine vaccinations and immunisations.
Over recent years the role of Practice Nurse has grown, with many nurses taking on additional training to be able to prescribe medication or follow specialist areas of interest such as Diabetes Care, Dermatology or Women’s Health and running clinics on these health areas.
If you want to read more about the expanded team available to support you at your GP practice visit fhac-archive.frimley.icb.nhs.uk/gethelp