Questions and answers with a pre-hospital nurse practitioner – International Nurses Day

What is a pre-hospital nurse practitioner?

The role of a pre-hospital nurse practitioner is to help support the delivery of our frontline service, alongside our paramedics and other pre-hospital clinicians. As a registered nurse I currently have the same scope of practice as a paramedic, however I have received extra training to be competent in some of these skills and the pre-hospital setting.

How can I become a pre-hospital nurse practitioner?

To become a pre-hospital nurse practitioner, you need to be a nurse registered with the nursing and midwifery council, hold a full UK driving licence, and obtain your C1 licence within the first six months of working for EEAST. Personally, having experience working in the emergency department has really helped with this role! I’m very happy I made this transition from working in A&E to working for the ambulance service and I haven’t regretted anything!

What’s the most rewarding part of the role?

I would say the most rewarding part of the job is helping and caring for people when they feel most vulnerable and making a difference to their life, even if it’s a small thing you do to help them. You see so many different things and every day is different. It never gets boring!

Would you recommend this role to other nurses?

Absolutely! If you feel like this is something you’re interested in doing and love the emergency care side of things. I’ve learnt so much and it’s very different to working in the hospital! There is so much you can do being a nurse and still have the option to go back to the hospital if you miss it.

What were your first steps in joining the ambulance service?

At first, I was quite apprehensive due to it being a new role, I spoke to some of my ambulance colleagues and did some research into the role and job description. My background is working in A&E so I already had an interest I emergency care. After applying and being offered an interview, I looked into a lot of the EEAST core values and requirements of the job – obtaining my C1 licence etc. It was quite a long process but worth the wait!

What made you want to become a nurse/care for people?

I’ve always wanted to be a nurse since a young age. It’s a very rewarding job looking after people and making them feel better!

Apprenticeship or university route?

I studied at Anglia Ruskin University for three years to become an adult nurse, however there are apprenticeship routes you can take to become a nurse. It just depends on how you want to do it.

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