Sandrah’s Journey into General Practice Nursing
From Italy to Nottingham: Finding Inspiration
Sandrah’s passion for nursing began in Italy. During a school trip to Arcispedale Santa Maria, she witnessed the compassion and dedication of healthcare professionals, an experience that inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. In 2019, her family relocated to England, and she continued her journey by completing an Access to Nursing and Midwifery course in 2021. That same year, she was admitted to the University of Nottingham, ready to take the next step toward her nursing career.
Seeing the dedication and care that healthcare professionals showed to their patients made me realise this was the path I wanted to follow.
Choosing General Practice
During her studies, Sandrah explored different nursing pathways but was particularly drawn to general practice. The diversity of the role, caring for newborns at immunisation clinics to supporting older adults with complex health conditions, appealed to her. She valued the opportunity to build long-term therapeutic relationships, fostering trust and helping patients maintain their health and wellbeing. Despite some negative perceptions she encountered about primary care, including concerns about limited support and structured training, Sandrah’s research reassured her that general practice would allow her to make a meaningful impact.
The support she received was pivotal. The De Montfort Practice Nursing Programme offered essential theoretical foundations in venepuncture, immunisations, wound care, and chronic disease management. Her mentor provided practical guidance with patience, encouragement, and reassurance, while the practice manager and wider team offered ongoing support that strengthened her confidence and development. Over time, Sandrah progressed from running venepuncture clinics to independently managing her own clinics, while also contributing to quality improvement and audit work in the practice.
I carried out my own research and developed a strong understanding of the vital role general practice plays in society, which reassured me in my decision.
No two appointments are the same, and I had to quickly learn about different services in order to appropriately signpost patients. Time management was a steep learning curve, especially when patients presented with multiple concerns within ten-minute appointments.
Support from NATH
Sandrah first connected with us at the Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub (NATH) while researching general practice nursing. She later met representatives at a careers fair at the University of Nottingham.
Over the past year, NATH has provided her with regular updates and information on continuing professional development opportunities, helping her identify and fill knowledge gaps. This support has not only enhanced her clinical skills but also boosted her confidence, enabling her to deliver high-quality, safe care.
NATH’s updates and CPD opportunities helped me identify and fill knowledge gaps, improve my clinical skills, and build my confidence to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Highlights and Standout Moments
For Sandrah, the most rewarding part of her role has been building long-term relationships with patients and seeing them make positive health changes. One standout moment involved supporting a patient attending a diabetes monitoring appointment who shared a photograph of a recurring lesion on his temple. Following a dermatology referral, it was diagnosed as cancerous. Being part of this process highlighted the importance of holistic care and the profound impact general practice nurses can have on their patients’ lives.
Being able to play a role in identifying this was a powerful reminder of the impact and importance of holistic care
Advice and Aspirations
Sandrah encourages newly qualified nurses to explore general practice without fear. While the learning curve can be steep, it offers excellent opportunities for professional and personal development. Her advice is simple: seek support, ask questions, and be kind to yourself as you navigate this new environment.
Looking ahead, Sandrah aspires to become an Advanced Practitioner, focusing on diabetes management, while also exploring leadership roles to implement initiatives that improve practice.
I aim to continue expanding my clinical skills, complete my cervical screening course, and undertake supervision training so I can mentor and support newly qualified nurses.
Supporting the Next Generation of General Practice Nurses
At Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub (NATH), we are proud to support nurses like Sandrah as they grow and thrive in general practice. Her journey highlights the dedication, resilience, and curiosity that make general practice nursing so vital to patient care.
Sandrah’s experience demonstrates how structured support, access to learning opportunities, and mentorship can transform early career challenges into moments of growth and confidence.
We believe that stories like Sandrah’s are a powerful reminder of why investing in the development of primary care nurses matters. By providing resources, education, and guidance, we aim to empower more newly qualified nurses to embrace general practice with confidence and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
At NATH, we are committed to continuing to nurture talent, celebrate achievements, and support nurses at every stage of their journey.
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