Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL) has started welcoming its latest intake of district nurses.
Laura Henderson was the first to complete her training and be signed off as a district nurse. Supported by her mentor Marie McNulty, as well as practice assessors Marie Brown and Pauline Schoneville, Laura has now joined Louise McCrory’s team.
Laura was a community staff nurse in Airdrie and undertook her training in Viewpark (Bellshill locality) for her training. She is continuing to work in Bellshill and now has her own caseload and team of staff nurses and a healthcare support worker.
She is joined by another of our new intake in the shape of Airdrie based Carla Ritchie, who has been supported by her team leader Alana Cunningham and mentor Gillian Dick. Carla was a staff nurse in Camglen and was encouraged to undertake the training by her then team leader Joanne McGregor.
Morag Anderson, associate nurse director, said: “We are delighted for, and so proud of, Laura and Carla for completing their district nurse training. It’s great to welcome them both to their roles. I’m sure they will very quickly become very valued members of our district nurse team.
“Not only have they completed the district nurse programme, which is demanding in its own right, but they’ve accomplished this during, very possibly, the most challenging period the health and care sector has ever faced.
“Clearly Laura likes a real challenge as she also bought a house which required extensive remodelling at the same time!
“It’s also amazing to see that Carla has been such an inspiration that her sister has now started district nurse training with us.
“We currently have three cohorts of 17 trainee district nurses and we look forward to them taking up their roles once they have qualified and completed their district nurse competency framework.
“It takes real dedication to qualify as a district nurse, however the rewards are more than worth it. Our district nurses play an incredibly important role looking after a large number of people spread across North Lanarkshire.
“I’m sure Laura, Cara and the rest of the group coming through will play a massive role in caring for, and improving the lives, of many local people over the coming years.”
Photo (L-R) Carla Ritchie and Laura Henderson
