No barriers to a fulfilling nursing career: Lynn’s journey as a clinical advisor at NHS 111
Discover Lynn Leatherbarrow’s unconventional journey into nursing.
Lynn Leatherbarrow’s journey into nursing wasn’t a conventional one.
She began her professional life in finance- despite not being particularly fond of numbers- and graduated as a nurse at the age of 46.
Having lived experience of addiction, she began her nursing career in an Alcohol and Addiction ward before she transitioned into working as a Ventilator Nurse and four years later to Mental Health Nursing. Each role contributed to her professional and personal growth, ultimately leading her to her current position as a clinical advisor at our NHS 111 centre in Dorking.
In our interview, she shared her story behind choosing a career at NHS 111. She says:
Why I became a clinical advisor
A decade into my nursing career, I found the physical demands of 12-hour shifts, three to four days a week, increasingly exhausting. It truly was taking a toll on me. Which is the reason why, after 10 years of working as a nurse, I decided to become a clinical advisor.
Now working at the Integrated Urgent Care (IUC) service, I enjoy the best of both worlds. I get to bring all the values of being a nurse to this job but also have a better work-life balance.
I acknowledge that burnout is a reality in all nursing roles, making it essential to make space to invest time in yourself and your development. This role provides several opportunities for continuous development and NHS Pathways, which helps me balance the hectic nature of my job. I have always been proactive in what I want to learn, and this role constantly encourages me to do that.
Since joining Practice Plus Group in 2015, I have found immense support within my team. There is always a colleague available to turn to. The clinical team and manager find no task or question silly. That really makes a difference to your work and the environment you are in. Understanding the roles of other team members, especially health advisors, has also helped me appreciate the entire system’s dynamics.
Another major advantage? The short commute. My workplace is just a three-minute drive away and that has definitely improved my work-life balance.
Training
To qualify as a clinical advisor, all candidates must first complete Health Advisor training. It’s only after that we start with clinical advisor training. I believe this pattern of training helps us get a better understanding of this system as we become more aware of the NHS Pathways and the journey that the person who calls us first goes through.
Making a difference
Clinical advisor career is a testament that you can make a difference and deliver care to patients beyond the bedside. I feel no less impactful in my role. I neither do feel like I am missing out. With NHS 111, nurses can build a fulfilling career that aligns with their personal and professional aspirations, proving that barriers do not exist when passion and purpose drive one’s path.
Join our team
If you’re looking for a role that offers professional fulfilment, work-life balance, and continuous growth, consider joining NHS 111.
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No barriers to a fulfilling nursing career: Lynn’s journey as a clinical advisor at NHS 111
