Nicola Littler
Darwen,Lancashire
Summary
Dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist with significant specialist palliative care knowledge and expertise in supporting malignant and non malignant life-limiting conditions.
Ability to demonstrate advanced communication skills, compassion and empathy, and have the experience and ability to work in both autonomous and team collaboration.
Professional and proficient in managing complex situations, providing face-to-face and telephone support, and educating healthcare professionals, clients, and significant others.
Committed to compliance with NMC standards while aiming to enhance patient care through continuous education and support.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
2021
2021
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Community Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist
St Catherine's Hospice
Preston, Lancashire
2018.03 - Current
- Significant experience of supporting clients with life-limiting malignant and non-malignant diseases including, MSA, MND, Parkinson's disease, CJD and PSP.
- Conduct comprehensive, individualised, holistic assessments with clients in the community and clinic setting, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Advice and support is provided through discussion and educating the client and significant others, to improve understanding of health conditions and treatments.
- The client is monitored to ensure the plan is effective. New concerns or changes to condition will be reassessed and plan updated as appropriate, until the client no longer requires the service.
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches are taken. Non Medical Prescriber qualification enables timely prescribing of medications for symptom management.
- Clients are signposted and referred to appropriate services for further support.
- Carers assessments are undertaken to ensure family / friends / carers are offered reassurance, emotional and practical support.
- Advance Care Planning is explored and discussions are undertaken timely and in a sensitive manner. The Hospice has developed an Advance Clinical Management Plan which is a non-legal document that records ACP preferences, and how a person would want their specific medical conditions and associated symptoms to be managed.
- Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams (GPs, District Nurses, relevant specialist teams, CHC) in the community setting for seamless patient care coordination.
- The CNS team provides a 24/7 telephone helpline at the hospice that is accessed by health care professionals, clients and relatives, providing specialist palliative advice and support.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge on nursing best practices through continuous professional development opportunities
- Provide specialist palliative education to other health care professionals, medical students, student nurses, and post graduation HCPs on MSc programme.
- Attend and partake in delivering in-house education sessions to peers.
- MCA link nurse for the community to ensure the CNS team are up to date and supported with best practice associated with MCA, best interests, and safeguarding.
- Achieves a consistent delivery of high-quality care, with attention to detail.
- Demonstrates problem-solving skills in managing challenging healthcare situations effectively.
- Accurate record keeping as per requirements of NMC, ensuring safeguarded patient privacy with strict adherence to confidentiality and data security protocols.
- Promote dignity, safety and individuality for all service users.
- Comply with quality healthcare standards to uphold hospice reputation.
Senior staff nurse
St Catherine's Hospice
Preston, Lancashire
2013.08 - 2018.03
- Provided holistic care to patients with life-limiting conditions in a hospice inpatient unit.
- Supported relatives sensitively, particularly during the death of a patient.
- Assisted with discharge planning and transitioning patients to further care locations.
- Coordinated allocation of inpatient workload among registered nurses and nursing assistants.
- Helped ensure prioritisation of tasks and high standards of care delivery.
- Mentored junior staff nurses, offering guidance and support.
- Administered medication timely and safely as prescribed by the medical team.
- Attended multidisciplinary team meetings to contribute to patient care discussions.
- Fielded calls to the hospice 24/7 advice line from healthcare professionals and relatives seeking specialist guidance.
- Mentored student nurses, ensuring development of skills and assessment of competencies.
- Served as a SystmOne mentor, attending training sessions and sharing learning with the inpatient team.
- Stayed up-to-date on the latest nursing developments to provide best patient care.
Junior staff nurse
St Catherine's Hospice
Preston, Lancashire
2010.04 - 2013.08
- Provided holistic care for patients with life limiting conditions in the hospice inpatient unit, with complex symptoms and approaching the end of life, under the supervision of the medical team and the senior nurses.
- Monitored patient behaviour and responses to treatments and reported concerns to senior staff.
- Support relatives sensitively during the patients admission and time of death.
- Assisted in the planning and process of discharge planning.
- Safe and timely administration of prescribed medications.
- Attended MDT meeting and liaised with HCPs in volved in the patients' care.
- Accurate record keeping.
- Stayed up-to-date on the latest nursing developments to provide best patient care.
Health care assistant
East Lancashire Hospital Trust
Blackburn, Lancashire
2000.05 - 2007.04
- Managed personal hygiene of bed-bound patients, maintained dignity and respect at all times.
- Liaised between patients and healthcare professionals, facilitated effective communication channels.
- Supported patients with diet and fluid intake.
- Popularised health promotion campaigns among patients by distributing relevant literature and explaining key messages clearly.
- Assisted in patient care, improved comfort and well-being.
- Ensured infection control measures were adhered to strictly for a safe environment for both staff and patients alike.
- Maintained stock levels of medical supplies on the ward, ensured uninterrupted provision of care services during shifts.
Education
Non-Medical Independent and Supplement Prescribing - Advanced Professional Development
University of Bolton
Bolton 2019.09 - 2020.06
Bachelor of Science - Professional Practice
University of Central Lancashire
Preston /2013 - 2017.06
Diploma of Higher Education - Pre-Registration Nursing (Adult)
University of Central Lancashire
Preston 2007.05 - 2010.03
A-Levels -
Blackburn College
LancashireGCSEs - High School
Darwen Moorland High School
Darwen, Blackburn with DarwenSkills
- Specialist palliative care knowledge
- Support for life-limiting conditions
- Autonomous and team collaboration
- Advanced communication skills
- Complex situation management
- Face-to-face and telephone support
- Education for healthcare professionals
- Client and family education
- Compliance with NMC standards
Certification
2023 - Safeguarding Adults- level 3 (update 2026)
2026 - Safeguarding children - level 2
2024 - Mayfly ACP and communications skills
2016 - Leadership and Management - Level 3
2014 - Advance Communication Skills
Annual mandatory training associated to role - CPR/AED competency, moving and handling, information governance data security, infection prevention and control, cyber security.
Affiliations
- I ensure I prioritise my own well being, as due to the nature of the environment I work in, I recognise the importance of this. I enjoy walking with my family and dogs, visiting local areas, socialising with family and friends, and yoga.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Non-Medical Independent and Supplement Prescribing - Advanced Professional Development
University of Bolton
2019.09 - 2020.06
Community Palliative Clinical Nurse Specialist
St Catherine's Hospice
2018.03 - Current
Senior staff nurse
St Catherine's Hospice
2013.08 - 2018.03
Junior staff nurse
St Catherine's Hospice
2010.04 - 2013.08
Diploma of Higher Education - Pre-Registration Nursing (Adult)
University of Central Lancashire
2007.05 - 2010.03
Health care assistant
East Lancashire Hospital Trust
2000.05 - 2007.04
Bachelor of Science - Professional Practice
University of Central Lancashire
/2013 - 2017.06
A-Levels -
Blackburn College
GCSEs - High School
Darwen Moorland High School