Health visitor Caitlin McCord has received a Queens Nursing Institute (QNI) award recognising her outstanding performance whilst completing a Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Health Visitor programme at Northumbria University.
The Dora Roylance Memorial Prize is an academic award available at every university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland where the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Health Visitor programme is delivered. The universities’ programme leaders can nominate one outstanding student each year to receive the prize.
Elaine Robinson is Assistant Professor for Nursing, Midwifery and Health and Programme Lead for Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) at Northumbria University.
She explains why Caitlin was the chosen one this year: “Caitlin was nominated for this award by all members of the academic team which was remarkable and a direct reflection of Caitlin’s positive strength and attitude throughout the SCPHN programme.”
“Caitlin was not only able to demonstrate academic excellence with strong and encouraging practice feedback, she also was seen to demonstrate a warm and supportive attitude to all her peers.”
Caitlin was a delight to have on the programme and a prime example of excellence. She will be a fabulous health visitor. We wish Caitlin all the luck in the world
Elaine Robinson, Assistant Professor for Nursing, Midwifery at Northumbria University
Associate Director of Nursing Cheryl Teasdale added: “Caitlin is a very much valued member of the team. This is a well deserved award, well done!”
Academic prize dedicated to outstanding students
Caitlin’s accomplishments were duly recognised by the QNI and she was awarded the Dora Roylance Memorial Prize – an academic prize dedicated to outstanding students who have completed their SCPHN Health Visitor programme at a university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Of Caitlin’s award Rachael Lowdon, Senior Health Visitor for the Inner West Locality added “Caitlin is enthusiastic, motivated, approachable, hardworking, always very bubbly and smiley.”
Caitlin is already becoming a very skilled and knowledge health visitor and is a great asset to our team. We are thrilled to have her in our service.
Rachael Lowdon, Senior Health Visitor
Caitlin says she has always wanted to be a nurse and after qualifying in 2020 at the height of the pandemic she embarked on her first staff nurse role at the Freeman Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit where she had previously had a placement as a student and loved it.
However, after about a year Caitlin began to question if this was the right fit for her. She saw an advert for health visiting – a completely different role and decided this might be an option to explore.
Caitlin explains “I found the specialist area of cardio intensive care really enjoyable and was proud of the skills I gained especially whilst looking after transplant patients, building strong relationships with them and their families. Yet I couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.
“The fact that a key aspect of health visiting is prevention of health issues rather than treating them was what interested me.”
Having a role in helping someone to make changes which would benefit their future and that of their baby really resonated with me and so I decided to explore health visiting further.
Newcastle Health Visitor Caitlin McCord
Caitlin was interviewed by the team and knew straightaway this was where we wanted to be and was determined to follow her instincts even though she knew she would need to go back to university.
“Even though it was really tough it was honestly the best 18 months”, says Caitlin “I had so much fantastic support from both my university and practice supervisors that I found the time truly inspirational.”
Heather Ransome, Senior health visitor was Caitlin’s practice supervisor and Caitlin says she had a hugely positive experience with her. “Heather is incredibly passionate about her job and so organised that every student under her wing always has a great experience. We had regular meetings and I loved going on visits with her – it shows how having a great mentor can have such a lasting impact on you professionally.”
Caitlin says she loves how the health visiting role gives you the insight into the full journey for a family when a baby arrives. Right from pre-natal – especially if it’s the first baby or a need for support has been identified – through to first home visits and follow ups.
“It’s lovely to be involved in such a special and important part of a family’s life and we feel honoured to be the first point of contact to help parents navigate their way through the early stages of parenthood. However it’s not just all about developmental checks.”
As health visitors we are in an extremely privileged position and need to be able to see and understand the wider picture, and where we can make a positive impact.
Newcastle Health Visitor Caitlin McCord
Caitlin says she sees part of her role as challenging the stigma often associated with the health visitor role. “Many people believe that we immediately judge people’s circumstances, interfere and take babies away from families.
“This couldn’t be further from the truth. Our role is about offering support, helping them to feel valued and respected – that someone really cares. By understanding and respecting each family’s situation we can identify where we can offer the right support for them.”
Caitlin adds “Early intervention is key but this isn’t a bad thing – we know many families are facing huge challenges often with complex needs, in particular if they are living in an area of social deprivation or come from a different, diverse background. If they are really struggling our aim is to connect with them and help them turn their lives around.”
Health visiting is about promoting a better life for the family and the community they live in – to help and protect, educate and support.
“We take our position very seriously acting as the voice for the child and their family, especially those who are vulnerable and at risk” continues Caitlin.
We advocate an individualised approach with every family and spend a lot of time listening – that way you learn a lot about their way of life, culture and beliefs, and what is important to them.
Newcastle Health Visitor Caitlin McCord
Marie Huscroft, Matron and Lead for Newcastle’s 0-19 Service says: “We absolutely love Caitlin’s passion and enthusiasm for Health Visiting and the difference Health Visitors make in the earliest time of a child’s life. This just shines through by her receiving this award and in the feedback she has been given.
“We are very excited to support Caitlin in her first steps in her Health Visiting career. Well done Caitlin!”
Caitlin says she has definitely found her happy place in this role. There are challenges and it’s a heavy case load to work through but there is so much mutual support within the team and colleagues look after each other, offering support every day.
They meet regularly to talk freely and openly about anything they need to, and all achievements, both personal and professional are celebrated with relish.
Caitlin graduated on Monday 17 July. Congratulations!
The Dora Roylance Memorial Prize
The Dora Roylance Memorial Prize is for students of Specialist Health Visiting Programmes.
This academic prize is available at every university in England, Wales or Northern Ireland where the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN) Health Visitor programme and programme leaders at each university may nominate one outstanding student to receive the prize each year.
The prize is available thanks to the generosity of a Queen’s Nurse, Dora Roylance, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 100. Dora left a legacy to the QNI creating this student award in her name.
