Growing Leading, and Advancing in General Practice Nursing

Encouraged by the belief of another nurse, I pursued nursing and soon discovered that primary care was where I truly belonged. This blog outlines how my career began and how it has progressed. General Practice has not only been the foundation of my nursing identity it has become the place where I have truly grown, developed, and stepped into roles I never imagined for myself.

A Recap of My Journey So Far

I started my career as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) working in primary care, gaining skills that I could transfer and incorporate into my nurse training. During my registered nurse training, I developed skills, knowledge, and confidence across many nursing areas.

However, my heart laid with primary care and I just knew that’s where I belonged! After qualifying and sending my CV to many GP practices I was fortunate to be offered a job and I haven’t looked back. I completed the Foundations in General Practice nursing course with Health Education England (HEE) funding; a 40-credit specific course designed to upskill and develop nurses in a range of clinical practice procedures that are relevant to working as an autonomous, accountable practice nurse in primary care.

Following that course, I continued to upskill and completed the HEE-funded Care of Minor Illness 20-credit course at Bournemouth University. I was able to combine these courses to gain my PgCert in Primary Care Master’s level 7 with a Distinction.

In addition, the HEE GPN two‑year fellowship was instrumental in consolidating my academic learning and translating it into confident, autonomous clinical practice. The structured monthly one‑to‑one supervision, combined with dedicated peer‑networking and professional development opportunities, provided an essential framework for reflective practice, critical thinking, and accelerated skill acquisition. The fellowship also offered highly beneficial protected time for supervision, creating a safe space to discuss cases, test ideas, and learn from the experiences of other GPNs.

This stage of my journey developed my clinical confidence, competence, and professional identity, as well as my progression into a specialist role as lead nurse for learning disabilities.

Six Years of Practice Nursing: Becoming a Leader

Since entering General Practice, I have now spent six years developing as a Practice Nurse. During this time, I have strengthened my clinical skills, broadened my knowledge, and gradually stepped into leadership within the nursing team. This transition into a leadership role has been a natural progression shaped by experience, passion, and a genuine commitment to high‑quality patient care.

Leadership has given me confidence and it has refined my competence. It has allowed me to bring my passion for up‑to‑date, evidence‑based practice into the heart of the workplace. Helping to develop a skilled, confident nursing team ensures our patients’ needs are met holistically and proactively, something I care deeply about.

Advancing My Practice Further

Most recently, I have embarked on the V300 Independent and Supplementary Prescribing course, a step that is already shaping and elevating my practice. As I work through the course, I am developing stronger clinical reasoning, greater confidence in decision‑making, and safe prescribing practice.

Although I am still in training, I can already feel how transformative this qualification will be. I am building the foundations to expand my autonomy and enhance the continuity of care I can provide. This journey is challenging, inspiring, and incredibly rewarding. The skills and knowledge I am gaining are reinforcing my passion for primary care and further empowering me to make a meaningful difference in the patient journey and across the wider practice team.

A Career That Continues to Inspire Me

From beginning as a Health Care Assistant, to completing my PgCert with distinction, to stepping into leadership and now progressing to becoming a nurse prescriber, I have built a career in General Practice that I am genuinely proud of.

Before becoming a registered nurse, my time as a Health Care Assistant provided me with invaluable transferable skills and experiences that have shaped the nurse I am today. The role grounded me in compassionate, patient‑centred care and gave me a strong understanding of the day‑to‑day realities of primary care. It was during this time that I developed the enthusiasm, resilience, and professional curiosity that continue to influence my practice. Reflecting on my journey from HCA to General Practice Nurse reminds me that those early foundations were not simply a starting point—they informed my values, strengthened my clinical approach, and laid the groundwork for every step that followed.

Primary care provides endless opportunities to grow, specialise, and lead. It challenges you, shapes you, and rewards you in ways that stay with you. My journey shows that with dedication, support, and passion, you can continually thrive and succeed within General Practice Nursing.

I hope my story inspires others to take their next step, whether that is exploring primary care, upskilling, or embracing new opportunities. General Practice is a wonderful place to build a meaningful, fulfilling, and lifelong nursing career. Looking back, I would never have imagined, as an HCA, that I would become a lead nurse progressing toward becoming a prescriber; the support I have received has been exceptional. I hope one day I can mentor someone else to believe in themselves just as others believed in me. Wish me luck!