Exemplar Health Care Trainee Nursing Associate is a finalist at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards
19 April 2022
Lianne Bailes, Trainee Nursing Associate (TNAs) at Lakeview care home in Leigh, is nominated for the Student Innovation in Practice award.
Lianne is currently on the two year TNA apprenticeship programme with the University of Bolton, and works at Lakeview alongside her studies.
She was nominated for the prestigious award for introducing ‘Wobble Wednesdays’ to support colleague mental health and wellbeing.
Lianne, alongside fellow Lakeview TNA Lauren, was also highly commended in this year’s North West Health Education England (HEE) TNA of the Year category.
Wobble Wednesdays to support colleague wellbeing
Working in care, especially as a Nurse, is extremely rewarding, but it can also be challenging at times.
Lianne, with the support of colleague Lauren, worked with Lakeview’s Mental Health First Aiders to start support sessions called ‘Wobble Wednesdays’.
The sessions give colleagues a safe space to discuss any concerns or issues with trained Mental Health First Aiders who provide a listening ear and can signpost them to advice and support.
Supporting colleague and service user wellbeing
Since starting at Lakeview with no care experience, Lianne has excelled in her role within the company, jumping at every chance to make every day better for colleagues and service users.
A keen learner herself, Lianne has created information booklets for students and agency staff coming into Lakeview, to help them understand more about the care provided and learning opportunities available to them.
She’s also written a short booklet for each unit which highlight the key aspects of each individual’s care plan.
They have been extremely valuable to new starters during their first few weeks, giving them a real insight into the home and the specialist care it provides.
Social care ambassador
Lianne is a social care ambassador for Lakeview. In this role, she delivers presentations and workshops to local schools and colleges to promote careers in social care.
In her presentations, she explains what it’s like to work in a care home, what healthcare roles are available and what career progression opportunities Exemplar Health Care offers.
Colleague Groups
Lianne chairs Exemplar Health Care’s Health and Abilities Colleague Group which provides a network for those who are disabled or have a long term health condition.
About the group, Lianne says: “Outside of work, I’m a carer as my partner had an injury two years ago which left him disabled and my dad had a brain haemorrhage over 10 years ago which left him with many disabilities.
“I want to be part of the Colleague Group as I want to be there for other colleagues, to listen to them, point them in the right direction for support and ensure that their voices are heard.
“I have an understanding of how difficult it can be both in and out of work, and I believe that the Colleague Groups are a positive way of ensuring that, as a team, we’re doing all we can to ensure every day is better for service users and colleagues.”
Lianne also co-chairs Exemplar Health Care’s Parents and Carers Colleague Group which gives people the opportunity to share their ideas and experiences, and discuss any issues they’re facing, either at work or in their home life.
“The group is currently working with our HR Team to provide a family friendly guide on our family leave policies, and they hope to start ‘time for tea’ social events for parents and care givers to meet,” she shares.
Trainee Nursing Associate programme
Lianne is in her first year of the two year TNA programme, which is delivered via an apprenticeship route.
The Nursing Associate role was introduced by Health Education England almost three years ago. It was designed to bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses, and help build the capacity of the nursing workforce, providing a progression route into graduate-level nursing for those wanting to continue learning and develop their career.
The apprenticeship involves attending university alongside learning ‘on the job’ in an Exemplar Health Care home and completing placements in other health and social care settings.
Healthcare jobs with Exemplar Health Care
Working with Exemplar Health Care gives you a tremendous sense of achievement and pride – you’ll be making a real difference each and every day.
Our healthcare and nursing roles offer stable employment, with flexible shifts, full support and training, whether you’ve worked in the sector before or are looking for a career change.