Fife nurses selected for prestigious Queen’s Nurse programme

TWO Fife nurses have been selected to take part in a unique professional development programme that will earn them the right to use the coveted title of Queen’s Nurse.

Janet Stirrat, District Charge Nurse, Valleyfield Health Centre and ​Carol Hunter, Team Leader and Practice Assessor, Cowdenbeath Health Visiting Team, have been chosen.

Both are set to begin the nine-month programme in March.

The Queen’s Nurse Programme brings together community nurses to develop their professional skills and deliver outstanding patient care in the community.

Queen’s Nurses are committed to learning, leadership and excellence in patient care.

Janet said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to become a Queen’s Nurse and look forward to meeting the rest of the people on the course. 

“I feel very fortunate to be working with a team of incredibly kind, caring and compassionate nurses who go above and beyond every single day for the patients in our care.  

“I believe that by completing the programme, I will develop the skills to become the best leader I can be and positively impact change to help shape the future of community nursing.”

That was a thought echoed by Carol who added: “I am delighted to be accepted.  It is an honour to be selected and a privilege to be representing Fife. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to connect with other like minded community nurses and have the opportunity to learn and share experiences.

“I am passionate about community nursing and want to be part of the Queen’s Nurse transformation journey to develop my own knowledge and skills and consider new ways of working in Children’s Services, improving outcomes for children and families.” 

Lynn Barker, Director of Nursing, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We’d all like to congratulate Janet and Carol for their selection.

“Their achievement helps demonstrate the high calibre of nurses we have and the high quality of nursing that is being delivered across Fife.

“We are proud to continue our association with the Queen’s Nursing Institute and greatly value their programme which helps our nurses develop and make a positive impact on our communities.”

Clare Cable, QNIS Chief Executive and Nurse Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Janet and Carol onto the Queen’s Nurse Development Programme. 

“From the late 1880s, Queen’s Nurses were social reformers who were taking public health into people’s homes to help families take better care of themselves.

“The modern Queen’s Nurses are building on this proud heritage – sharing this pioneering spirit to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities of Scotland."