I work as a Nurse Practitioner in General Practice in East London. I see a mix of walk in patients with undiagnosed conditions, patients with long term conditions and those in need of general practice nurse attention. Previous to this job I was a practice nurse in Essex, and before that a hospital nurse working in predominantly acute areas. Therefore I consider myself to be a true generalist and have embraced the opportunities to build on my skills and practice over the years.

I undertook the first Independent Nurse Prescribing course at Essex University on 2002 and then had to ‘add on’ Supplementary Prescribing’ in 2004. At that time we prescribed from the Independent Nurse Formulary and were restricted in our ability to meet the needs of our patients. As a new prescriber in a new role for nurses I felt very exposed and in need of support and guidance. These days with an almost full BNF to choose from and our own extending clinical roles there is even more to consider.

I still strongly feel that primary care nurses especially struggle to find support with this and I am involved with this site to try and address some of the issues that working in isolation produces and to facilitate support. This site if for those already prescribing, those currently in training and those just thinking of it!

I hope that as the site grows we all will find support and knowledge which will not only make us safer practitioners but will allow us to be confident in our decision making and thereby enhance our effectiveness as patient advocates and nurses.