Denise McLaughlin
Durham
Summary
I am an experienced ambitious Nurse, who enjoys challenges and works well under pressure. I am a strong leader and team player with effective communication and interpersonal skills. I am a socially confident and self-motivated professional with an outgoing personality and a determination to succeed.
Having worked in both the healthcare sector my whole career so have a deep understanding of issues faced by our members on a daily basis. I have a diverse range of skills and experience, which I believe can bring to the role. I have extensive knowledge and experience of the current healthcare agenda which informs my day to day practice as a Senior Officer in the Royal College of Nursing [RCN] representing nursing, nurses and our members. I am passionate and committed to nursing as a profession. I am equally committed to the RCN as an organisation that seeks to develop and enhance safe high quality patient care whilst maintaining and ensuring the best working terms and conditions for our members.
I believe that my skills and experience are relevant and complementary to the core competencies required of this role and would welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you further. I offer the following skills, experience and personal attributes as evidence for my suitability and compatibility to the requirements of this position:
I am a decisive leader who is proactive and competent in providing clear management to the team.
I believe in building respectful relationships to achieve personal, team and organisational outcomes.
I am emotionally resilient and have the ability to remain positive as demonstrated throughout a very difficult and challenging period within our office dynamics. I was able to positively support, manage and motivate my team to ensure that members continued to receive services of the highest standard.
I believe I demonstrated my resilience and adaptability when I acted up as Interim Head of Operations across 2 regions, I quickly built relationships with the wider team was able to positively support team members with challenges they faced.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Senior RCN Officer
Royal College of Nursing
Sunderland
2020.10 - Current
- Lead and motivate staff, resulting in improved morale.
- Maintained high standards of personal conduct, contributing to a positive work environment.
- Collaborated with colleagues for effective teamwork.
- Wrote detailed reports, aiding in case documentation.
- Worked diligently under pressure whilst preserving high-quality output.
- Handled sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
- Liaised closely with external agencies such as social services and housing departments, providing comprehensive support for individuals in need.
- Established effective partnerships with key stakeholders to boost company image.
Learning Disability Lead Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Gateshead
2015.11 - 2022.10
- Enhanced nursing skills with ongoing professional development courses.
- Implemented staff training programmes, enhancing service delivery standards.
- Promoted an environment of learning with regular staff workshops and seminars.
- Handled emergency situations calmly and efficiently, minimising risk to patients and staff.
- Advising and supporting hospital departments on issues relating to mental capacity and deprivation of liberty.
- Led work in relation to developing service delivery for patients with learning disabilities who attend the hospital. This includes working closely with department leads and frontline staff in supporting patients with learning disabilities in their care. Delivering staff training and advising on matters relating to the Equality Act and reasonable adjustments for patients.
Practice Development Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Gateshead
2013.09 - 2015.11
- Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills, fostering strong relationships with colleagues and patients alike.
- Participated regularly in professional development activities to enhance nursing skills.
- Ensured adherence to nursing standards by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of nursing practices and ethics.
- Championed the implementation of evidence-based practice within the nursing team.
- Encouraging frontline staff to change practices in very busy pressured environments whilst appreciating both the pressures on staff and the need to implement improvements to quality of patient care.
Learning Disability Liaison Nurse
South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust
South Sheilds and Gateshead
2012.07 - 2013.09
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary team for improved patient outcomes.
- Liaised effectively with patients' families, facilitating communication between medical staff and family members.
- Delivered staff training on issues relating to the care of people with learning disabilities.
- Negotiated alternative care pathways to meet individual needs so that appropriate care can be delivered.
- Supported ward teams in caring for patients with learning disabilities.
Community Learning Disability Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
Gateshead
2001.10 - 2012.07
- Advocated for patients' rights, ensuring dignity and respect in all interactions.
- Documented all actions taken accurately in patient records, ensuring transparency in care delivery.
- Developed personalised care plans for individuals with cognitive impairments.
- Liaised with external agencies such as social services and educational institutions to coordinate patient care.
- Guided patients towards independence by teaching essential life skills such as cooking and budgeting.
- Administered medication as prescribed by psychiatrists or medical doctors.
- Established trusting relationships with patients, encouraging open dialogue about health concerns.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult periods.
- Trained staff members on best practices for dealing with challenging behaviours.
Forensic Staff Nurse
Tees and North Yorkshire NHS Trust
Middlesbrough
2000.05 - 2001.10
- Implemented individualised care plans by understanding the needs of each patient.
- Collaborated in multidisciplinary teams for holistic treatment plans.
- Conducted therapeutic one-on-one sessions to improve patient mental health.
- Managed crises promptly using de-escalation techniques to ensure safety of all involved parties.
- Worked closely with psychiatrists to adjust treatment plans based on changing patient needs.
- Fostered an atmosphere of trust and support for patients through empathetic communication methods.
- Communicated and collaborated with patients to plan, assess and evaluate effective care programmes.
Community Learning Disability Nurse
Ravensbourne NHS Trust
Orpington, Kent
1996.07 - 2000.05
- Advocated for patients' rights, ensuring dignity and respect in all interactions.
- Documented all actions taken accurately in patient records, ensuring transparency in care delivery.
- Developed personalised care plans for individuals with cognitive impairments.
- Liaised with external agencies such as social services and educational institutions to coordinate patient care.
- Guided patients towards independence by teaching essential life skills such as cooking and budgeting.
- Administered medication as prescribed by psychiatrists or medical doctors.
- Established trusting relationships with patients, encouraging open dialogue about health concerns.
- Provided emotional support to patients and their families during difficult periods.
- Trained staff members on best practices for dealing with challenging behaviours.
Assistant Home Manger
Ravensbourne NHS Trust
Bromley, Kent
1995.07 - 1996.07
- Had overall responsibility for 3 bedded unit for young adults with profound multiple and learning disabilities.
- assessed and planned care for each individual.
- Supervised support workers in delivery of care.
- Implemented keyworker system, which is now a widely accepted practice in learning disability services.
Staff Nurse
Barking, Havering and Brentwood NHS Trust
Harold Wood, Essex
1994.03 - 1995.07
- Newly qualified staff nurse.
- Supported the planning of resettling adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour into a community setting from long stay hospital.
- Assessing and planning care for adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.
- Developing individual care plans to meet client needs.
- Worked closely with the multi-disciplinary team to assess ne review clients.
- Acted as shift coordinator in the absence of the unit manager.
Student Nurse
North Durham Area Health Authority
Durham
1991.01 - 1994.03
- Followed a programme of pre-registration nurse education over a period of 3 years and 3 months.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Practice Development
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne 2013.09 - 2015.07
Diploma of Higher Education - Applied Psychology of Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour
University of Kent at Canterbury
Canterbury 1996.09 - 1999.10
Registered Nurse Learning Disability - Nursing
Durham and Teesside College of Health
Durham 1991.01 - 1994.03
Skills
- Leadership excellence
- Staff management
- Safety regulations knowledge
- Conflict management
- Project coordination
- Service improvements strategy
Accomplishments
In 2020, I received the Royal College of Nursing Award of Merit for my commitment and work as a volunteer Representative.
Certification
RCN Management Development Programme (MDP) September 2023
RCN Lead Your Way Development Programme January 2024
Timeline
Senior RCN Officer
Royal College of Nursing
2020.10 - Current
Learning Disability Lead Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
2015.11 - 2022.10
Practice Development Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
2013.09 - 2015.11
Bachelor of Science - Practice Development
Northumbria University
2013.09 - 2015.07
Learning Disability Liaison Nurse
South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust
2012.07 - 2013.09
Community Learning Disability Nurse
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
2001.10 - 2012.07
Forensic Staff Nurse
Tees and North Yorkshire NHS Trust
2000.05 - 2001.10
Diploma of Higher Education - Applied Psychology of Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour
University of Kent at Canterbury
1996.09 - 1999.10
Community Learning Disability Nurse
Ravensbourne NHS Trust
1996.07 - 2000.05
Assistant Home Manger
Ravensbourne NHS Trust
1995.07 - 1996.07
Staff Nurse
Barking, Havering and Brentwood NHS Trust
1994.03 - 1995.07
Student Nurse
North Durham Area Health Authority
1991.01 - 1994.03
Registered Nurse Learning Disability - Nursing
Durham and Teesside College of Health
1991.01 - 1994.03