Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing

I qualified as a mental health nurse in 1992 and worked within both adult and older people's mental health with a clear passion for working with people living with dementia.

With encouragement I undertook my 1st degree completing it at the age of 50 I then went straight on to undertake my second degree three years later. Currently I am studying for an Educational Doctorate at Anglia Ruskin University, where I was a clinical skills tutor prior to coming to the University of Bedfordshire. I am passionate about lifelong learning and enjoy teaching across all higher education age groups.

My educational doctorate focuses on the experiences of female BAME student nurses and their relationships with professional partners whilst out in practice placements. Using an intersectional narrative inquiry approach, it aims to understand student experience with a view to improving recruitment and retention of BAME nurses within the NHS.

Qualifications

• Educational Doctorate (ongoing)
• People Handling Train the Trainer
• NMC Teacher
• PGCert in Assessment and Teaching
• Higher Education Fellow
• MSc Degree in Dementia Studies
• Nurse Independent/Supplementary Prescriber
• BSc Degree in Dementia Studies
• Registered Mental Health Nurse

Professional accolades

• Florence Nightingale Scholar (Alumni)
• Mary Seacole Scholar (Alumni)
• Mary Seacole Awards Mentor

Research Interests

Female BAME student nurses' relationships with professional practitioners whilst on placement

Teaching expertise

• Pre-registration Mental Health
• Dementia
• Service improvement

Contact Details

E: valerie.freestone@beds.ac.uk