Loren Portwood

Dedicated student nurse with skills in venepuncture, manual blood pressure measurement and blood glucose monitoring. Demonstrates strong communication skills and remains calm under pressure, ensuring high-quality patient care. Proficient in diabetic foot screening and patient observations, contributing to comprehensive health assessments. Committed to advancing a career in primary care and improving technical skills, further developing knowledge in the management of long term conditions and delivering compassionate care.

• Training 1
• Course title: Adult Nursing (HONS)
• Training provider: University Of Cumbria Lancashire
• Year obtained: 2023-2026
• Training 2
• Course title: BLS
• Training provider: Blackpool Teaching Hospital
• Training 3
• Course title: Phlebotomy
• Training provider: Caring for Care
• Training 4
• Course Title: Pre preceptorship
• Training Provider: Cumbria and Lancashire Training Hub

• Applicant’s name: Loren Portwood
• Date of application: 06 June 2026
• Job: Practice Nurse

• Email: loren.portwood@nhs.net
• Telephone number: 07835498766

Are you a British or Irish citizen? Yes

• Your essential and desirable criteria
• Experience
• Evidence of how you meet the essential criteria
• I am a highly motivated and compassionate third year student nurse, who has dedicated the past 6 years to achieve the qualifications required to become a registered nurse. I am due to qualify soon and keen to transition into a practice nurse role within primary care.
• I am particularly passionate about supporting patients to improve their health and wellbeing through education, prevention and person centred care. I enjoy building a therapeutic relationship with patients and understand the importance of strong and effective communication to achieve better health outcomes.
• During my placements I have worked within community and hospital settings supporting patients with acute and long term conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes, Respiratory failure, COPD, wound care and hypertension, of which I look forward to and value the opportunity to enhance my professional development further to support patients with long term conditions management and be able to contribute to preventable care.
• I am currently undertaking a pre preceptorship training programme where I am developing skills and knowledge required for a practice nurse role. This training has increased my understanding of working independently within practice which involves running clinics autonomously. It has also strengthening my clinical knowledge and confidence and understanding of long term conditions which is required to fulfil this role.
• During the training programme I have developed knowledge and clinical skill experience in Diabetic foot screening and assessment, COPD management, manual blood pressure and pulse monitoring, Asthma reviews and Asthma action plans and Venepuncture.
• Further training that will be achieved on this programme includes, Learning disability reviews, consultation skills, NHS health checks, Spirometry, FeNO, wound care and EMIS training.
• Throughout my training I have developed the understanding of how long term conditions can affect a patients daily life, emotional wellbeing, physical health and physiological state as well as having impact on their families. This has strengthened my awareness of strong communication and interpersonal skills and the importance of building therapeutic relationships, providing emotional support and delivering compassionate and person centre care.
• One example of this whilst on placement, was caring for a patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. The patient appeared anxious and expressed their concerns for their medication routine and their diet. This showed me the importance of building a therapeutic relationship to support the patient in managing their condition. I actively listened to the patient and asked open end questions, so I could understand their current challenges to manage their condition. I spoke clearly in a way that was understood and removed any medical jargon. I spoke to the patient in partnership, advising realistic goals which could be achieved including setting reminders to take medication and small adjustments to their diet to fit in with their working hours. By using this approach it positively engaged the patient and made them feel more confident in the management of their diabetes.
• Another example when I was caring for an acutely unwell patient with COPD, who was not adhering to oxygen therapy and presenting with delirium and confusion. Although maintaining target oxygen levels was paramount, I recognised that a person centre approach was needed due to the distress of the patient. I remained calm, used reassurance and communicated clearly, rather than challenging the behaviour. I escalated concerns to senior staff appropriately and involved family members to help support safe oxygen therapy use and adherence, whilst maintaining dignity, comfort and individualised care.
• Whilst on placement on a respiratory ward I developed the ability to work both independently and as part of the team whilst caring for patients with multiple complex conditions such as respiratory failure, COPD and pneumonia. I independently completed observations, monitored patient conditions and escalated concerns appropriately, whilst also working with specialist nurses, doctors and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patient safety, co ordination and care was delivered effectively.
• As a future newly qualified registered nurse, I am eager to enhance and develop my skills and knowledge within a primary care setting as a practice nurse. I believe from the training I have undertaken alongside my placement experience and passion for delivering person centre care will allow me to make a positive contribution to the practice team and patient care. I am adaptable and hold a compassionate nature and committed to ongoing training and evidence based practice. I believe all of these qualities combined makes me suited for the practice nurse role.
• Evidence of how you meet the desirable criteria
• As a student nurse I have not formally worked in primary care however, I have completed training in a primary care GP surgery and currently on placement within a GP practice. These experience's have given me insight to the role in primary care and the knowledge and skills required of a practice nurse. This has also strengthened my interest and passion to become a practice nurse. By having these experiences it has developed my understanding of holistic, person centred care and continuity of care and I am eager to develop further on this experience to support health, preventable care and educate patients for better health outcomes.
• During my primary care placement and GP practice I have had the opportunity to observe and support patients with health promotion, chronic disease reviews and assessments, health check ups, monitoring, women's wellness, mental health, patient education and wound care. I have worked closely with practice nurses, advanced practitioners, Doctors , GPS, healthcare assistants and other multidisciplinary teams which has strengthened my understanding of how effective coordinating teamwork supports effective patient safety within primary care GP practice.
• Throughout my training in primary care placements I have developed the understanding that health promotion and preventable care is essential within a practise nurse role. I have gained exposure to long term conditions such as Diabetes, COPD and Hypertension. I have assisted with observations including blood pressure and pulse checks, oxygen saturations and wound care support as well as support nurses with patient education, smoking cessation, healthier eating, hydration, infection prevention and adherence to medication and self management. This has strengthened my understanding on the importance to empower patients to actively participate in their role in managing their own health and wellbeing, leading to healthier outcomes.
• I have gained experience supporting respiratory reviews, particularly patients with asthma and COPD. I have observed inhaler technique checks, assessments including spirometry and FeNO testing, symptom review discussions and personalised asthma action plans. This has strengthened my knowledge and understanding of the importance of early intervention, regular monitoring and patient education in preventing exacerbations and reducing patient hospital admission.
• I have gained further experience being present in diabetic appointments with patients living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although I am confident to carry out blood glucose monitoring within a healthcare setting, primary care patients are primarily supported to self manage. My experience in diabetic reviews has enhanced my understanding on the importance of medication adjustment to prevent hypoglycaemia and ensure safe administration. I have also learned that regular reviews, timely intervention and effective communication between nursing homes and other health care teams are essential to ensure safe and effective diabetic management within a GP practice and primary care.
• Although I currently do not hold qualifications for cytology and immunisation, I am highly motivated to enhance my clinical skills and competencies to take further training required for the practice nurse role. I understand the importance of cervical screening and immunisations in disease prevention and public health and am eager to undertake further training to become competent in these clinical skills.
• During my training I have become familiar with electronic systems to record patient information and understand the importance of maintaining accurate, timely and confidential information. Although I do have experience navigating around electronic systems which I do not find difficult, my experience with EMIS is limited. However I am due to take EMIS training in the next coming weeks as part of my pre preceptorship programme, which I will benefit from and confident it will enhance my ability to work effectively within a GP practice.
• In addiction, I have become familiarised with the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) which is a system used within the GP practice that monitors and, measures and improves patient safety. As primary care GP practices focuses on long term conditions and management it ensures patients receive regular reviews, monitoring ,immunisations and intervention which supports evidence base and high quality of care.

• Unspent criminal convictions and cautions
• Do you have any unspent convictions and/or cautions? No
• Fitness to practice
• Are you currently subject to a fitness to practice investigation or any proceedings by a regulatory body? No
• Have you been removed from the register, had convictions or sanctions placed on your registration or been issued with a warning? No
• Have you ever had restrictions placed on your clinical practice as part of the revalidation process? No

Loren Portwood, loren.portwood@nhs.net, 07835498766, Yes, Adult nursing BSc(Hons), University of Cumbria, Pending, BSc(Hons), 2023-09-01, 2026-08-31, Access to higher education(HE), Blackpool & Flyde College, Passed, Diploma for Nursing & Midwifery, 2022-09-01, 2023-07-31, Health & Social Science (Pre access), Blackpool & Flyde College, Passed, Level 2, 2021-09-01, 2022-07-31, Maths, Blackpool & Flyde College, Level 5, GCSE, 2021-09-01, 2022-07-31, English, Blackpool & Flyde College, Level 6, GCSE, 2021-09-01, 2022-07-31, Pre-preceptorship, Lancashire and Cumbria Training Hub, 2026, BLS, Blackpool Teaching Hospital, 2026, Phlebotomy, Caring for Care, 2026, HCA, NHS Blackpool Teaching Hospital, 2021-01-01, Current, Supporting nurses to deliver high quality and safe care, Carrying out clinical tasks such as clinical observations and monitoring, Basic wound care, Clinical procedure of glucose monitoring for diabetic patients, Personal care, Assistance in mobility, Catheter care, Stoma care, Documentation, Personal Care Assistant, Private (Mr Ramsden), 2021-06-01, 2021-12-31, Looking after a patient with muscular dystrophy and complex needs, Personal care, Mobility safety using hoists, Tracheostomy care, Suction & cough assist, Assisting with medication and documentation required, Communicating with other team members, HCA, BUPA, 2013-12-01, 2015-11-30, Personal care, Mobility & safety, Observations and escalation, Working part of a team to deliver care, Catheter care, Stoma care, Utility adviser, Lee Goulding, 2015-11-01, 2020-11-30, Communicating with clients, Computer use, Working with team members to meet targets, Utility adviser, Energy Search, 2008-01-01, 2012-11-30, Communicating with clients, Working part of a team to meet targets, Care assistant, North Shore Nursing Home, 2004-06-01, 2006-01-31, Personal care, Nutrition & hydration, Nursing in bed, Mobility and safety, Cleaning duties, I am a highly motivated and compassionate third year student nurse, who has dedicated the past 6 years to achieve the qualifications required to become a registered nurse. I am due to qualify soon and keen to transition into a practice nurse role within primary care. I am particularly passionate about supporting patients to improve their health and wellbeing through education, prevention and person centred care. I enjoy building a therapeutic relationship with patients and understand the importance of strong and effective communication to achieve better health outcomes. During my placements I have worked within community and hospital settings supporting patients with acute and long term conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes, Respiratory failure, COPD, wound care and hypertension, of which I look forward to and value the opportunity to enhance my professional development further to support patients with long term conditions management and be able to contribute to preventable care. I am currently undertaking a pre preceptorship training programme where I am developing skills and knowledge required for a practice nurse role. This training has increased my understanding of working independently within practice which involves running clinics autonomously. It has also strengthened my clinical knowledge and confidence and understanding of long term conditions which is required to fulfil this role. During the training programme I have developed knowledge and clinical skill experience in Diabetic foot screening and assessment, COPD management, manual blood pressure and pulse monitoring, Asthma reviews and Asthma action plans and Venepuncture. Further training that will be achieved on this programme includes, Learning disability reviews, consultation skills, NHS health checks, Spirometry, FeNO, wound care and EMIS training. Throughout my training I have developed the understanding of how long term conditions can affect a patients daily life, emotional wellbeing, physical health and physiological state as well as having impact on their families. This has strengthened my awareness of strong communication and interpersonal skills and the importance of building therapeutic relationships, providing emotional support and delivering compassionate and person centre care. One example of this whilst on placement, was caring for a patient with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. The patient appeared anxious and expressed their concerns for their medication routine and their diet. This showed me the importance of building a therapeutic relationship to support the patient in managing their condition. I actively listened to the patient and asked open end questions, so I could understand their current challenges to manage their condition. I spoke clearly in a way that was understood and removed any medical jargon. I spoke to the patient in partnership, advising realistic goals which could be achieved including setting reminders to take medication and small adjustments to their diet to fit in with their working hours. By using this approach it positively engaged the patient and made them feel more confident in the management of their diabetes. Another example when I was caring for an acutely unwell patient with COPD, who was not adhering to oxygen therapy and presenting with delirium and confusion. Although maintaining target oxygen levels was paramount, I recognised that a person centre approach was needed due to the distress of the patient. I remained calm, used reassurance and communicated clearly, rather than challenging the behaviour. I escalated concerns to senior staff appropriately and involved family members to help support safe oxygen therapy use and adherence, whilst maintaining dignity, comfort and individualised care. Whilst on placement on a respiratory ward I developed the ability to work both independently and as part of the team whilst caring for patients with multiple complex conditions such as respiratory failure, COPD and pneumonia. I independently completed observations, monitored patient conditions and escalated concerns appropriately, whilst also working with specialist nurses, doctors and multidisciplinary teams to ensure patient safety, co ordination and care was delivered effectively. As a future newly qualified registered nurse, I am eager to enhance and develop my skills and knowledge within a primary care setting as a practice nurse. I believe from the training I have undertaken alongside my placement experience and passion for delivering person centre care will allow me to make a positive contribution to the practice team and patient care. I am adaptable and hold a compassionate nature and committed to ongoing training and evidence based practice. I believe all of these qualities combined makes me suited for the practice nurse role., As a student nurse I have not formally worked in primary care however, I have completed training in a primary care GP surgery and currently on placement within a GP practice. These experiences have given me insight to the role in primary care and the knowledge and skills required of a practice nurse. This has also strengthened my interest and passion to become a practice nurse. By having these experiences it has developed my understanding of holistic, person centred care and continuity of care and I am eager to develop further on this experience to support health, preventable care and educate patients for better health outcomes. During my primary care placement and GP practice I have had the opportunity to observe and support patients with health promotion, chronic disease reviews and assessments, health check ups, monitoring, women's wellness, mental health, patient education and wound care. I have worked closely with practice nurses, advanced practitioners, Doctors, GPS, healthcare assistants and other multidisciplinary teams which has strengthened my understanding of how effective coordinating teamwork supports effective patient safety within primary care GP practice. Throughout my training in primary care placements I have developed the understanding that health promotion and preventable care is essential within a practice nurse role. I have gained exposure to long term conditions such as Diabetes, COPD and Hypertension. I have assisted with observations including blood pressure and pulse checks, oxygen saturations and wound care support as well as support nurses with patient education, smoking cessation, healthier eating, hydration, infection prevention and adherence to medication and self management. This has strengthened my understanding on the importance to empower patients to actively participate in their role in managing their own health and wellbeing, leading to healthier outcomes. I have gained experience supporting respiratory reviews, particularly patients with asthma and COPD. I have observed inhaler technique checks, assessments including spirometry and FeNO testing, symptom review discussions and personalised asthma action plans. This has strengthened my knowledge and understanding of the importance of early intervention, regular monitoring and patient education in preventing exacerbations and reducing patient hospital admission. I have gained further experience being present in diabetic appointments with patients living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Although I am confident to carry out blood glucose monitoring within a healthcare setting, primary care patients are primarily supported to self manage. My experience in diabetic reviews has enhanced my understanding on the importance of medication adjustment to prevent hypoglycaemia and ensure safe administration. I have also learned that regular reviews, timely intervention and effective communication between nursing homes and other health care teams are essential to ensure safe and effective diabetic management within a GP practice and primary care. Although I currently do not hold qualifications for cytology and immunisation, I am highly motivated to enhance my clinical skills and competencies to take further training required for the practice nurse role. I understand the importance of cervical screening and immunisations in disease prevention and public health and am eager to undertake further training to become competent in these clinical skills. During my training I have become familiar with electronic systems to record patient information and understand the importance of maintaining accurate, timely and confidential information. Although I do have experience navigating around electronic systems which I do not find difficult, my experience with EMIS is limited. However I am due to take EMIS training in the next coming weeks as part of my pre preceptorship programme, which I will benefit from and confident it will enhance my ability to work effectively within a GP practice. In addition, I have become familiarised with the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF) which is a system used within the GP practice that monitors and, measures and improves patient safety. As primary care GP practices focuses on long term conditions and management it ensures patients receive regular reviews, monitoring, immunisations and intervention which supports evidence base and high quality of care., No, No, No, No, No, No, No, Female, Yes, Civil partnership, No, Heterosexual/straight, 24 to 44, White: English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, British, Christianity (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations), Senior, middle or junior managers or administrators, A state-run or state-funded school, No

• Gender: Female
• Marital status: Civil partnership
• Religion: Christianity (including Church of England, Catholic, Protestant and all other Christian denominations)
• Visa status: British or Irish citizen
• ID Type: Applicant's reference