Sharon Fox is a Regional Nursing Advisor for Defence Primary health Care North region. Sharon shares her nursing career, from being one of the first ‘Project 2000’ nurses having completed her training at Stoke Mandeville Hospital (part of Oxford Brookes University).

She started her career working on a surgical ward and has moved in various Intensive Care settings. Sharon discussed how she moved to Germany and started work in Primary Health care and how her career has progressed since then. She gives advise for anyone interested in this speciality and for anyone interested working with the military as a civilian. She also shares her career goals and aims for the future.

For further information please follow:

X = @DMS_MilMed

Linkedin = Defence Medical Services

Insta = @StrategicCommand

UK armed forces

You can browse regular and reservist roles here:

Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service

Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps

Princess Mary’s RAF Nursing Service

Civil Service

The MOD employs civilians in clinical and other relevant business and technical roles:

Civil Service Jobs

Flexible Resource Pool (Bank)

Welcome to series 5 of Navigating Nursing. In this series I interview Defence nurses, including nurses working in the regular military, reserves and civil service nurses.

This series highlights the diversity of the nursing profession and aims to inspire nurses, Nurse associates, healthcare support workers and students.

#DefenceNursing #Onemedicalmindset #futureDMS #DMS

Please follow Navigating Nursing on Instagram, Laura Whitehead on X (Twitter) and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

In this episode Laura interviews Georgie Cox who is an Associate Professor at University of East London. Georgie discusses her career to date and what inspired her to become a nurse. Georgie studied at the University of Westminster and completed a BSc in Physiology and shares how this has shaped has shaped her career. Georgie has worked in education for a number of years and she shares how important supporting students is. She has published a number of articles on hair racism after supporting a student through an incredibly difficult experience and Georgie talks about how this situation was managed and how important it is for us to all call out racism and discrimination.

Georgie recently took part in the 100 Black Women Professors NOW change programme and she talks about how attending this programme has inspired to work towards becoming a Professor in the future. She shares advice for all leaders and aspiring leaders and shares her career aims for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Tahira Mahmood who is a Bronchiectasis Clinical Nurse Specialist. She discusses her reasons for studying nursing at Bradford University. Tahira worked at Interventional Radiology when she qualified and worked her way up to a band 7. She talks about her experience in mentoring and reverse mentoring and the positive impact this has had on her progression and confidence. Tahira developed a video which was used as part of the international recruitment process, this is available through the link: Interventional Radiology - YouTube

 Tahira discusses her reasons for moving into a new role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist and the challenges of working in a new Trust and being involved in setting up a new service. Tahira is enjoying her role and is splitting her time in working alongside the TB CNS team. She gives advice for anyone interested in being a Clinical Nurse Specialist and shares her career aims.  

In this episode Laura meets with Nathan Askew, a Chief Nurse, AHP and Experience officer. Nathan talks about what led him to apply to be a nurse and why he chose Children's nursing. He gives leadership advice and shares his view that one of the skills of a leader is to bring experts together to share ideas and problem solve.

Nathan discusses his journey through his MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice and gives advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. He talks about the importance of being flexible when completing post graduate study and how this can help you to develop whilst having a work life balance. Nathan is the Chair of the Association of Children and Young People's nurses, he shares the work he does with this organisation. Nathan also gives advice to anyone in a leadership position or who wishes to apply for one.

In this episode Laura meets with Julie Crane, who is a Senior Lecturer and Founding Director of Mary's Place CIC. Julie has had a varied career, she has worked in General Surgery, as a Clinical Research nurse and a clinical governance facilitator. Julie gives advice for anyone interested in applying for a new role, and the importance of remembering the transferable skills you have.

Julie gives advice for anyone wishing to study at level 7. In her role as a Senior Lecturer Julie teaches Leadership and she discusses how her secondment has changed her as a lecturer and her teaching on the topic of leadership. Julie is the Founding Director of Mary’s Place CIC – which has been established to support newly qualified professionals make the transition from student to professional with greater ease and grace. The first project is supporting nurses, but the constitution for Mary’s Place is newly qualified professionals. Julie finished the episode by discussing her plans for the future.

In this episode Laura meets with Professor Alison Leary MBE. She discusses her transition from being an engineer and apprentice rocket scientist to training as a nurse. Professor Alison compares the similarities between being a scientist and the similarities it has with nursing as in both you are looking at real world issues. Professor Alison talks about her varied career in oncology, from being a Clinical Nurse Specialist, to conducting research and being involved in policy. Laura and Alison talk about myths for newly qualified nurses and how all nurses need to choose their employer carefully. It is important to remember it is a seller's market and don't be afraid to ensure you ask for what you want when looking for a job. Professor Alison gives her advice for nurses interested in research and talks about her work with the National Cancer Action Team. She discusses her work with The Queen's Nursing Institute and shares her plans for the future.

In this episode Laura speaks with Ash Greaves, a Homeless Pathway and Outreach Lead Nurse. Ash talks about what inspired him to become a nurse and the impact of his experiences before he trained as a nurse. Ash has worked with young disadvantaged people, people with disabilities, young people with substance misuse, sexual health, and mental health issues throughout his career. Ash started his nurse training in his mid- twenties and studied at the University of Bradford and he speaks about how his previous jobs have assisted him in his nursing career. Ash discusses the 2 MSc modules in Mental Disorders and Mental Capacity, and Best Interest Assessor course and the impact this had on his career development. Ash discusses his career to date and his current role as the Homeless Pathway and Outreach lead Nurse. Ash provides advice for student nurses and newly qualified nurses. The episode finishes with Ash sharing his career aspirations for the future.