100 Day Challenge

 Back at the beginning of December 2021 I was successful in being selected for a short secondment to NHS England as a Community Nurse Fellow in Sam Sherrington’s team. My action area of the community nursing plan is to drive the use of digital and data within community nursing. My first day in this new and exciting role - along with 3 other fellows who were able to start on the same day was a MSTeams meeting with Ruth May! Along with 100 + other staff we were told that we were in level 4  and needed to “ go help with the vaccination program”. Having just supported this service over the past 12 months in my usual place of work, I thought  “ I’ve only just finished this”- personally having given more than 5,000 vaccinations in our service  one of my roles was clinically supporting the development of the vaccination team along with our chief pharmacist and service manager. A little disappointed that this would mean less time in the secondment, but obviously was the right thing to do, I put on my scrubs and headed back to the clinic. A few sessions later and Christmas pasted I headed back to my remote working within my secondment. 

My first 20 days was to navigate my way round remote working, meeting people and scoping out what’s going on already. Coming from an acute hospital trust leading a secondary and community care diabetes service where I would have 6 clinics a week, leading the trust for non medical prescribing and managing a nursing team the change was profound. I thought I needed to achieve everything in the first month! I’m used to working 150 miles an hour. Not having a moment to think about anything but the task in hand.

We nurses don’t sit still- we work well in teams - supporting and encouraging each other for the greater good of those was care for. In those difficult times, having a coffee and time for reflection. In those good times, a laugh, a joke and someone baking a cake! Doing this new role from home, alone and all on a computer rather than face to face really was one of my first challenges. Not being able to “just ask Elaine- she knows the answer to everything” who is the Elaine in NHSE? Where do I find the contact for this group or that person? Which document do I need to know and read first ? Wow have I done the right thing I asked myself after the first couple of weeks. Quickly the other fellows (14 in total) starting joining as they were being released for their secondments. We meet online a couple of times a week, learning, sharing and supporting each other - have you read this? I’ve just had an amazing meeting with…. We chat between each other and so quickly a bunch of individuals are being to become a system, a team, a force to be reckoned with! Sam’s compassionate leadership is beautiful. I can feel a virtual hand of support on my shoulder - everyone of the staff seem to want you to succeed, to develop, learn and thrive. I smile at the end of my 4 week reflecting on how much I have learned already - all the people I have met and the connections with other agencies I am making and plans for the next 20 days. Also my “buddy” has joined me now 2 days a weeks - we will work closely together in our roles.. more exciting times ahead.