Described by colleagues as an exceptional clinical supervisor, Laura’s shortlisting highlights her most recent achievements whilst supporting, mentoring and educating student nurses and midwives in her clinical educator role.
Laura was nominated in recognition of going above and beyond when responding to a challenge from the Newcastle Hospitals’ Practice Education Team to explore new models of learning to expand and improve upon the quality of midwifery practice placements in Newcastle.
Beth Duggan, Practice Placement Facilitator for the Trust explained “In partnership with our local Higher Education Institute Northumbria University, we approached Laura to ask if she and colleagues would consider offering a bespoke placement opportunity to midwifery students.
“Laura and her team were already supporting a considerable number of other learners including both adult and children’s nursing students, SCPHN students and trainee nursing associates.
“Yet she recognised the potential benefits of midwifery students spending quality time with the 0-19 service, gaining skills and knowledge that would undoubtedly enhance their understanding of the fundamental importance of continuity of family centred care.”
Laura not only responded positively to the team’s challenge. She characteristically went above and beyond setting up a comprehensive, trial placement for five midwifery students.
Dr Vikki Smith, Programme Lead for Northumbria University’s MSc Midwifery programme, said: “Laura organised an excellent placement opportunity for student midwives with the 0-19 service and provided well-organised support for their learning. It is clear that Laura has a genuine passion for student education.”
Bespoke student placements
Meticulously planning a two week rotational placement bespoke to each individual student, Laura ensured they could spend valuable time with a range of different specialists to strengthen their comprehension around the aims and impact of the city’s 0-19 service.
She met with each student to ensure they genuinely felt part of the team during their placement, provided educational and pastoral support and acted as their practice supervisor to ensure they could comprehensively evidence meaningful outcomes.
The criteria for this Student Nursing Times Awards category ‘Practice Supervisor of the Year’ seeks supervisors who can demonstrate empathy with their students, adapting their coaching methods to suit the individual, and providing an environment that encourages questions, informed debate and learning.
Beth said this newly trialled placement has delivered an abundance of evidence to match the criteria.
“Laura carefully considered any challenges the team’s new approach would involve and adapted their methodology based on the feedback from each of the students which has been overwhelmingly positive to date.”
Valuable learning opportunities
One student wrote “This placement was rich with opportunities of working with the MDT, in a much broader sense than I had initially anticipated, which opened up very valuable learning opportunities.
“I was able to work with the health visitors, clinical educator, clinical nurse specialists, Early Help advisors, family support workers, teachers, police, IFS team, Ways to Wellbeing and school nurses. This provided me with a rich insight into each role and how they interconnect to support the holistic needs of the family in various complex situations.
I feel very lucky that we have been able to experience this placement and definitely think it should be a placement that all student midwives are able to access.
Student midwife feedback
Following this initial trial which supported five midwifery students, Laura is keen to explore how this successful approach can be rolled out to other midwifery students.
Beth said “Her passion and enthusiasm for supporting students is exemplary. We know from student feedback that they have found their learning to be incredibly meaningful and would shape the way they practice.
“We are very grateful to Laura for everything she does to create such fantastic practice placement opportunities.”
Beth Duggan, Practice Placement Facilitator at Newcastle Hospitals
On learning of the shortlisting Laura said “This is wonderful news. Despite managing a high volume, complex workload, the team consistently went above and beyond on this fantastic project so I’m delighted so see this national recognition of their dedication and hard work.”
She added “Key areas of learning included high quality public health advice such as safe sleep, the benefit of Early Help Assessments, the importance of the 1001 critical days, the advantages of a relationship focused approach to the delivery of services, and the impact of the Solihull approach.
“It has been particularly rewarding to listen and read the reflections of the students about their experience which perfectly captures the positive impact that the 0-19 service makes for so many.
“We aim to continue the work from both services to provide seamless pathways of care whilst promoting early identification of the needs of babies and families in Newcastle.”
Laura continued by saying how important it was to be given the opportunity to collaborate with the Practice Placement Facilitator team alongside colleagues at Northumbria University which contributed to making this novel approach so successful.
“I’d like to thank the PPF team who have been so supportive to me since I started in this role providing a high level of consistent support and information around student learning,” said Laura.
“Beth’s close support in particular was instrumental to the success of our project, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout, whilst allowing us to bespoke our offer by working flexibly around capacity, and presenting our service in a such positive way.”
Rising star
Executive Director of Nursing Ian Joy said “I’m delighted to see Laura shortlisted for the Nursing Times ‘Practice Supervisor of the Year’ Award.
“Despite joining Newcastle’s 0-19 service as clinical educator only 9 months ago she has made a huge impact.
“To be nominated so quickly for a national award is testament to her commitment to ensuring every learner in practice receives a high quality experience meeting their individual needs, which in turn will undoubtedly benefit the families in our care.
“Laura is definitely one of our rising stars – I wish her all the very best at the awards ceremony.”
Head of nursing for children and young people Marie Huscroft added:
“This nomination is so very much deserved as it highlights Laura’s exemplary leadership qualities towards ensuring the provision of high level education for all.
“A paediatric nurse and health visitor by background she joined the 0-19 service in Newcastle in June 2023 and has been a breath of fresh air, rapidly overhauling the learning opportunities on offer.
“Hopefully this nomination will show her just how much we all appreciate her hard work and expertise.”
Her passion and drive for ensuring babies, children and young people and their families receive the highest quality care is evident in her kind and compassionate approach to supporting learners in practice and I don't think she realises the difference she is making.
Head of nursing for children and young people Marie Huscroft
The Student Nursing Times Awards 2024
The Student Nursing Times Awards will be celebrated on Friday 26 April 2024 in a glittering live ceremony at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, bringing together the nursing and midwifery community to shine a light on the brightest talent making their way into the profession.
We wish Laura and the team the very best of luck at the ceremony.
