Hello, my name is Cheryl Teasdale and I am one of the Associate Directors of Nursing at Newcastle Hospitals.
A key part of my role is supporting the delivery of high quality patient centred care through the operational and strategic development of nursing – my passion for high quality fundamentals of nursing practice continues to drive me every day.
I qualified as a nurse in 1998, completing much of my training in North Tyneside but always knew I wanted to work in Newcastle Hospitals.
I successfully applied to work on Ward 5 at the Freeman Hospital specialising in colorectal and hepatobiliary surgery where I spent the next 18 years, becoming a senior staff nurse shortly after qualifying.
I worked part time whilst I had my children and returned to full time work in 2008 when I became junior sister, progressing to senior sister in 2010.
I loved being a ward sister and believe this is one of the most satisfying nursing roles to undertake, offering real fulfilment in providing a high standard of care. I applied for a secondment in a senior nursing role within the Surgical Directorate in 2016 which subsequently led to me taking up the Matron’s role at our Regional Neurosciences Centre.
Preventing patient harm is the aim of every nurse
In 2019 a new post was advertised for a Clinical Standards and Quality Improvement Lead. This role involved line management of the falls and tissue viability team as well as working across all clinical standards, everything I am passionate about.
Preventing patient harm is the aim of every nurse, and I found my role in improving standards and supporting teams to instigate quality improvement hugely satisfying and fulfilling.
A year into this post the opportunity arose to apply for the Associate Director of Nursing. With my previous experience and passion for clinical quality and nursing leadership I applied and was delighted to be offered the post.
In every role I have attained I have felt proud to support others doing the roles I have previously undertaken, and I believe that guiding and developing others through open, supportive leadership is imperative to enabling our nurses to carry out their core responsibilities.
Responsibilities
- Community site focused, with core responsibilities around professional issues, operational site management and directorate support.
- Line management of the clinical standards and harm free care teams including infection prevention and control, tissue viability, continence, practice development, nutrition and dementia.
- Working closely with senior clinical leaders and managers to develop highly effective nursing and midwifery practice specifically in relation to clinical standards to improve quality of care and outcomes for patients.
- Leading and contributing to a broad range of trust wide projects, plans and policies that support nursing, midwifery and quality across the trust.
- Leading the development and consistent delivery of high clinical standards of care, clinical policies and protocols for nursing and midwifery in line with evidence based practice and contributing to the identification of practice and professional development needs of nursing and midwifery staff.
- Providing expert advice and support to senior leaders within the organisation in relation to issues of professional practice.
- Reporting to the Deputy Chief Nurse, supporting the delivery of high quality patient centred care through the operational and strategic development of nurses and nursing.
