Career change to GPN: 'I wish more people knew what a great place it is to work'

As an experienced healthcare support worker, Nadine Davies took the leap to qualify as a general practice nurse – because she values the role so much. She describes her proud journey over 5 years to becoming a GPN and why she thinks the role is so vital. She is also learning Welsh, to help in her consultations. This article is part of the How Nurses Count series.

After 22 years as a healthcare support worker in primary care, Nadine Davies had seen first-hand the difference general practice nurses make to patients’ lives. Working alongside them day after day, she was inspired to follow the same path.

It took five years of study while continuing to work, but Ms Davies has now qualified as a general practice nurse – and she’s keen to encourage others to consider the same path.

The journey wasn’t straightforward. Ms Davies – who works at Practice 1 Keir Hardie Health Park in Merthyr Tydfil, where she has been since 2015 – didn’t have the qualifications for direct entry to university, so she first completed a Certificate in Higher Education in Health and Social Care in 2018 before starting the four-year ‘flexi route’ nursing degree at the University of South Wales in 2020.

‘I wanted to prove that it could be done, no matter your background or age,’ she says. ‘But I’ll be honest – when I was a healthcare support worker, I was a big fish in a little pond. I knew a lot of people and I knew my role inside out. Now I’m the tiniest fish in the big pond. Also, the adult nursing degree focuses more on secondary care, so there’s loads of stuff specific to practice that you have to learn on the job.’

Her practice recognised her potential early on, releasing her from work three days a week for studies while she continued working two days at the practice. Her wage was topped up by the health board alongside her employer, and she received student finance loans. The workplace support has continued since she qualified in September 2024.

‘Even now, they support me with further training through courses provided by Cwm Taf Morgannwg Education Department for Primary Care, and always encourage me to ask questions. There’s always someone to go to – senior nurses or GPs – if I need advice,’ she says.

You’re there for your patients – managing chronic conditions, watching families grow up, and really making a difference

The transition has opened Ms Davies’ eyes to how undervalued general practice nursing can be as a career option. She believes more could be done to showcase the role to potential recruits.

‘I call it “GP land”, and I wish more people knew what a great place it is to work. You’ve got that work-life balance, no nights or Christmas shifts, but more than that. You’re there for your patients in the long run – managing chronic conditions, watching families grow up, and really making a difference.

‘I think if it was talked about more at student level, a lot more people would be inspired to take this path.’

Now working full-time as a GPN (37.5 hours over four days), her typical week is varied: Monday brings INR monitoring and warfarin level checks, followed by a cytology clinic in the afternoon. Tuesdays mean baby clinics with lots of vaccinations. Throughout the week there’s wound care, chronic disease management, and travel vaccines to fit in.

‘You have to be a jack of all trades,’ Ms Davies reflects. ‘The on-the-job training is constant. My most recent course was in cytology, but there’s always something new to learn.’

My goal is to be able to do a whole consultation in Welsh

In fact, Ms Davies is open to all kinds of learning. With support from Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, she’s now studying Welsh – driven by a desire to serve her community better.

‘It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years,’ she explains. ‘I wear a badge that says I’m learning Welsh, and sometimes patients will see it and greet me with “Shwmae,” and I’ll do my best to reply back in Welsh. My goal is to be able to do a whole consultation in Welsh.’

The challenge is significant. Despite studying Welsh at school, years have passed, and Ms Davies discovered during university that she was dyslexic.

‘I’ve had to learn in a different way – lots of repetition, writing things down until they stick. But it’s worth it. People deserve to be cared for in the language they’re most comfortable with. It’s about inclusivity, about making everyone feel seen and understood.’

This is especially important since the GPN role demands excellent communication skills and, in many cases, a sympathetic ear.

‘You have to be a good listener,’ Ms Davies insists. ‘People come in and tell you things they wouldn’t tell anyone else. Sometimes it’s not even why they booked the appointment. You need to be a shoulder to cry on – for patients, for relatives, for your colleagues. Sometimes you have to deliver difficult news, or just be a reassuring presence.’

We’re here to make sure every patient gets the care they need

Against this backdrop, Ms Davies has found her professional passions within the diverse GPN role. Diabetes care particularly appeals to her – the long-term relationship building and helping patients manage their condition over time. But she’s also deeply committed to trans healthcare, particularly ensuring patients don’t fall through gaps in the system when gender markers are updated.

‘We keep a list of our trans patients, making sure they get their checks and don’t miss out on things like cervical screening or breast screening because of how their records are coded. Everyone deserves good care and to feel welcome.’

Ms Davies is equally passionate about encouraging others to follow her path and make the leap to GPN. ‘There’s so much demand, and we need people from all backgrounds,’ she insists. ‘Different life experience only makes the team stronger.’

There’s no looking back for Ms Davies as she continues along her chosen path. And as she explains, forward momentum is a key aspect of general practice nursing.

‘We keep things moving,’ she enthuses. ‘We notice things; we refer people to the right place. We’re big decision-makers. And at the end of the day, we’re here to make sure every patient gets the care they need – that’s what matters most.’

How Nurses Count!

This article is part of the How Nurses Count campaign, showcasing the impact of nurses in general practice.

Nadine Davies, GPN at Practice 1 Keir Hardie Health Park in Merthyr Tydfil, says:

‘We are at the forefront of the practice. If people are unwell, we are often the first person they see. We make clinical decisions within our role scope to ensure that patients are getting the correct care that they’re entitled to.’