Exemplar Health Care Trainee Nursing Associate is a finalist at this year’s Student Nursing Times Awards

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.

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.

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.

Lianne is also 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.

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.