I’m Carmen, the Regional Clinical Lead for the North. I have worked within care and nursing in various roles for 24 years. To be part of a person’s care and health journey is a privilege and I am passionate about supporting people to remain in their home environment along with promoting independence and choice. I joined Helping Hands in July 2023 and am enjoying being part of a fantastic supportive team, with a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Career pathway
My Mum was a Nurse and from an early age I knew I wanted to be in a caring role. Both my Grandparents had long term, complex conditions and needed a lot of care at home and I watched my Mum carry this out when professional care at home was unheard of, and residential nursing care would have been the only option. Mum cared for them at home for 10 years and this inspired me to want to have a career in the health service.
In 1999, I started working in a health centre, and from there held various roles as a health care assistant in residential care homes, home care and at a local hospital. My role working within Outpatients for four years, gave me fantastic skills and experience over a range of specialities and I worked with the most amazing Consultants and staff. I was then given the opportunity to work on the Wards within the hospital and gained valuable experience. In 2014 I commenced my Nursing Degree at York University and joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council Register in 2017. After qualifying I went straight into Practice Nursing, gaining many skills and developed knowledge in health promotion and a passion for complex wound management. Since 2020 I have worked as a Clinical Lead in Social Care which has involved developing, implementing, and delivering clinical services, and mentoring students on the Nurse Associate Programme, along with collaboration with local universities.
My areas of nursing interest are complex wound management, diabetes, management of long-term conditions and end of life care. I have cared for people with a range of conditions and enjoy learning and keeping up to date with the latest evidence-based practice.
My proudest moment to date was saving the life of my neighbour who had gone into respiratory arrest. I had to perform CPR and keep a relative calm while speaking to the emergency services all at the same time! I was then put forward for a Community Pride Award and had to go to an award ceremony and was on the television!
Qualifications and Professional Development
- Registered General Nurse
- BSC Degree in Nursing (Adult)
- Foundation Degree In Health & Social Care/Associate Practitioner
- BA Degree in Child & Youth Studies
- Mental Health First Aider
- Registered Nurse Professional Leadership qualification
- Mentorship
- Alzheimer’s Train the Trainer Dementia Awareness
- Diabetes Management
- Leg ulcer management including Doppler assessment and application of compression bandaging
- Cardiovascular Risk
- Health Promotion
- Wound Care
- Ear Irrigation, Instrumentation, and Infections
- Cervical cytology
- Contraception
- Immunisations/Vaccinations
