Katie Morrison – Level 3 Health and Social Care

Name: Katie Morrison - Level 3 Health and Social Care

Course Name: Level 3 Health and Social Care

Course Type: College Courses

Image Caption: NWSLC student Katie Morrison Level 3 Health and Social Care
Katie’s nursing experience has never been in more demand as she works to support nurses returning to practice during the coronavirus pandemic. As a team leader at South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust , which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, Katie and the team have been working hard to support colleagues developing knowledge and skills, helping them to feel safe as they tackle the challenges of COVID-19.

During a career with the NHS that has spanned over 14 years, Katie has become skilled in leadership, education training and mentoring, and become qualified to Master’s level. She credits the starting point of her career on her experience at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College.

Joining the college in 2000 to study A Levels, Katie made a switch from arts subjects in her second year, feeling that she needed a more grounded career pathway. Continuing with Art A Level, she qualified in Health and Social Care which provided her with a route into nursing via Southampton University, supported by a bursary. Qualifying after three years with an advanced diploma in nursing, Katie’s first post as a registered nurse was at Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop where she joined a busy and fast-paced emergency admissions unit, learning to cope with a high turnover of patients many of whom were acutely unwell. After passing her driving test, homesick Katie moved back home to Nuneaton and into a new role with Warwick Hospital, part of the South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust.

As a staff nurse within the gastroenterology unit, Katie was exposed to a wide range of conditions and learned a great deal including about investigative procedures such as endoscopy, pancreatic cancer, and the care and support of people with substance abuse issues. During this time, Katie returned to study at Coventry University and became qualified in mentoring so that she could support student nurses on placement enabling them to successfully develop their competencies and move on with their careers. As a supervisor and endpoint assessor of student nurses.  Katie contributed to the progress and personal development of new nurses and positive feedback on her style sparked an interest in education.

It was while Katie was working as a busy nurse-in-charge in the gastroenterological unit that she took up a six-month secondment within the practice development team. This sealed her interest and commitment to supporting newly qualified nurses as part of their preceptorship, providing pastoral support and helping them to develop their professional competencies.  Katie  secured a substantive post in the  practice development team where her role extended to managing work experience placements, outreach work with schools, careers fairs and education projects.

As a lead in Practice Development Team , Katie went back to school once more, completing an MA in health studies over four years on a part-time basis at Coventry University which gave her the chance to graduate in cap and gown at Coventry cathedral.

Katie now works with nurses and medical students, helping them to develop their clinical skills and also supports nurses from overseas to become registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.  

Katie said, “The route I took into nursing, which started with my choice of college course, has enabled me to gain a great deal of fascinating experience. I have worked with some wonderful teams and have learned so much, including about what I really enjoy and where I want to focus my skills. I am pleased that we have been able to adapt so quickly to the current circumstances, supporting all our staff to ensure that they have the skills and resilience to cope at this difficult time.”