Greenwich Health Nurse Career Development
The Greenwich Health Training Hub has been put in place to ensure that nurses in Greenwich receive the very best and most up-to-date healthcare education and training.
The Training Hub is an organization funded by Health Education England to provide workforce & training support across the Royal Borough of Greenwich, working in partnership with the Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group, the University of Greenwich, the Oxleas NHS Trust, the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich as local authority.
Greenwich Health Nurse Leads
The Greenwich Health Training Hub is very fortunate to have two fantastic Nurse Leads in Claire O'Connor and Laura Davies. Their vast experience and expertise is an incredible resource to the GPN workforce in Greenwich, so we encourage you to reach out to them.
Claire O'Connor
Greenwich Training Hub Lead Nurse
I have worked in the NHS for over 17 years, having held roles in Emergency and community nursing, working for the local NHS trust and the Ambulance service. I have been in General Practice in Greenwich since 2013 and am currently working as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner.
My joint role with Laura, as one of the Nurse Leads, since 2017 is very rewarding and fulfilling offering support, advice and guidance to over 100 clinical staff across Greenwich, supporting students and staff with continuing professional development, helping to build a sustainable workforce through education and training that will enable our clinicians to continually deliver great care to Greenwich residents.
Having strong academic training myself and a commitment to health and professional education I am passionate that General Practice Nurses & HCSW have a voice in Primary care and am always seeking ways in which we can raise our profile.
I was recently awarded the title of Queens Nurse for continuing commitment to improving standards of care in the community and to learning and leadership, this is a title I am very proud of.
Laura Davies
Greenwich Training Hub Lead Nurse
I have worked in the NHS for 12 years, initially as a Receptionist at my local GP surgery. I then went on to train as a nurse at Kings College London.
After qualifying as a nurse, I spent the first few years working at St Thomas' Hospital Medical Admissions Ward, I then transitioned into General Practice Nursing, which is where my passion lies. I was appointed as one of the Lead Nurses for Greenwich in 2017.
I am passionate about supporting my colleagues in Primary Care, whether that be through one to one advice or encouraging individual growth and career progression. I strongly believe that feeling supported in your career is one of the most important aspects of job satisfaction.
Despite our colleagues working across many differently practices, I like to think of myself and Claire as a bridge that brings us all together as one large team.
Anthonia Okorom
Greenwich Training Hub Nurse Facilitator
I have 17 years of professional experience between the private sector and the NHS. I began my nursing career in 2004 as an oncology nurse in the private sector and worked through to clinical nurse specialist in Palliative care in 10years. In 2014 I transitioned to become a midwife and worked in a very busy high risk obstetric labour ward for 5years.
The role of a practice nurse resonated with me in 2018 and I embarked on a career change. Today I am in a job I look forward to every morning. My main role is to support nurses training and student placement. I look forward to improving the student placement experience and giving place for the student voice while supporting their requirements, expectations, highs and lows of placement experience in primary care.
With experience across a broad range of fields and demographics, I am keenly aware of the need for training commitment to produce high quality, knowledgeable conscientious and confident clinicians to ensure the continuance of a robust NHS service in the future.
Would You Like To Be A General Practice Nurse?
The articles below provide some good tips and insights of how to progress your career:
How To Train As A General Practice Nurse
How To Become A General Practice Nurse
How The Practice Nurse Role Has Evolved
There is also a presentation attached that explains the formation of PCNs – Primary Care Networks. This also contains all of the contact details for the GP Surgeries in Greenwich.
GP Surgeries often advertise on NHS Jobs or you could send a CV direct to practices to enquire if there are any opportunities. Your Training Hub Nurse Leads are Laura Davies and Claire O’Connor who will be happy to help.
Here are some more helpful resources for becoming a General Practice Nurse:
The Health Education England GPN Education And Career Framework
The RCN Guide to continuing professional development in England
HCA Career Development - Nursing Associate Role
Health Education England are currently financially supporting Employers to support their HCAs to become a nursing associate. The degree is fully funded and the Practice also receive additional funding support.
The Nursing Associate Degree is a foundation degree which will lead to entry onto the NMC register as a Nursing Associate.
The degree is an apprenticeship and so therefore you will remain in your place of work, sometimes in your usual HCA role, sometimes supernumerary as a trainee nursing associate (internal placement) and sometimes at University. An example of the 2 year programme at the University of Greenwich is set out below.
Theory (off-the-job learning):
2 terms per year of 15 weeks consisting of:
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initial one week block at start of each term followed by 2 days per week (for 14 weeks)
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remaining 3 days are in the workplace but can be used for short placements as determined by the employer
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As an example: year 1 Terms run from [24th Sept to 7th Jan] and [25th April to 1st July]
Placements (on-the-job learning):
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These occur within 10 week blocks between the university terms
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These blocks are for External placements, ‘Protected Learning Time’ in the workplace and employment
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There is a requirement for 5 or 6 external placement of 2 weeks each during the 2 years to achieve the NMC prescribed settings
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Other placements during the protected learning time (to achieve the 1150 practice hours) can be short/long as agreed by the employer and either internal or external
Entry criteria:
Maths and English GCSE Grade C or above or Functional Skills in Maths and English Level 2 . If you do not hold these qualifications, the first step is to complete Functional Skills in Maths and English Level 2
The Greenwich Health Training Hub
Committed To Our Workforce
The Greenwich Health Training Hub is designed to meet the educational needs of the multi-disciplinary primary care team in Greenwich. In addition it allows us to collaborate and bring together community providers and local authorities.
