that are doing an amazing job for their clients, and I
went on to work in a number of these organisations,
both inpatient and community. I gained my V300
and practised as an independent prescriber within
each role.
I came to Turning Point in 2014 as a nurse
manager within a newly contracted integrated
service. It was an exciting time as we had the
opportunity to shape a service and I learned some
important lessons, including how to manage new
contracts with existing staff and clients.
Acknowledging people’s abilities and tapping into
existing ways of working is essential.
When the role of head of nursing was advertised,
I went for it. My reasons for applying were my
passion for addiction nursing and my
disappointment at where it has gone over the years.
Nurses have become disempowered and lost their
identity because of the tendering process, but I feel
strongly that they must be able to provide the broad
skills they have to service users – they deserve the
best that we can give them.
Addiction nursing in 2016 is a very different job
compared to ten years ago. There have been many
changes and the profession has been reformed
numerous times. However, the time has come for
addiction nurses to find their voice, and with it their
value. I’m an active member of the Substance Misuse
National Prescribers Forum and The Royal College of
Nursing, and a board member of ANSA.
I meet regularly with my ten nurse managers to
discuss and ensure high quality care is being
provided and see how we can make improvements.
Part of my role is to support the next generation of
nurses in having an understanding of addictions, and
I have regular contact with local universities setting
up links and pathways for students and preceptors.
I really enjoy what I do because no day is ever the
same. I could be in London or Manchester attending
business planning or clinical meetings, or I might be
visiting one of our services, linking with the nurse
manager, operational manager and clinical lead. At
one of these visits, I may observe some clinical
practice and ensure compliance through auditing a
clinical area, notes or care plans. As an Independent
nurse prescriber, I might have a clinic booked which
is one of my favourite things to do.
I also attend conferences and work with a number
of national nursing organisations that deal with
addictions, developing wider policies and standards. I
work very closely with our medical director and we
align our decisions with the clinical team.
In all of this, the most important thing to me is
client care and my motivation is providing services
that I would be happy for my loved ones to attend.
My sole purpose as a nurse is to make a difference,
no matter the size of the difference. This remains my
driving force – I want to be an intrinsic part of a
positive change in someone’s life.
Share your career path
email DDN editor,
First PersOn
February 2015 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 11
More on jobs and careers at
‘Addiction nursing
in 2016 is a very
different job
compared to ten
years ago... the
time has come for
addiction nurses to
find their voice,
and with it their
value.’
stepped into Skelmersdale alcohol service my career
pathway changed and I never looked back.
It was a combination of the client group and the
people I worked with. My mentor was very influential,
as was the team he worked with. It was a small
community service but their passion for clients taking
responsibility and being the masters of their own
destiny was infectious. It was simple and so effective.
Once qualified, I went into work in a number of
NHS community services in the north and then
moved to London, where I worked in my first non-
statutory service. It was another pivotal moment
when my eyes were opened to non-NHS services
I
never thought I would become a nurse – law was
my initial career choice. But during my training to
become a barrister I worked on a dementia ward to
pay for my tuition fees. That was when I began to
realise that I couldn’t envisage doing anything else.
I studied mental health nursing at the University
of Central Lancashire and during my course I began
to plan for the future. I knew I would be moving to
London and wanted to gain some substance misuse
experience.
I requested my elective placement be within this
setting and went thinking, ‘I'm not going to like this.’
How wrong could I have been! From the first day I
Making a positive change to someone’s life has been
a motivating force for
Ishbel Straker
, national
head of nursing for substance misuse and public
health at Turning Point
How I became a…
substance
misuse nurse
July/August 2016 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 11
