Supporting Rising Stars to Shine

‘Rising Stars’ is one of the exciting programmes that are part of The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing’s Organisational Membership scheme.

At the beginning of the second year of facilitating the programme, we take a moment to reflect on our experience of designing and facilitating this unique and highly successful programme.

We are two Queen’s Nurses with over 50 years’ experience of nursing in various roles in the community:

Fiona Rogers’s experience spans the life course drawing from clinical, operational, commissioning, project management and leadership roles within children and young people’s services. This is coupled with a passion for professional development of self and others, underpinned with an MBA Leadership with coaching and mentoring building on BSc SCPHN – SN.

Angie Hack’s experience spans District Nursing to clinical leadership, teaching life span development in FE with budding pre-reg nurses, to HEI education as a senior lecturer and course lead for Assistant Practitioners (Foundation degree in Primary and Community Nursing) and the General Practice Nurse Pg Dip/MSc. Angie’s wealth of expertise as an academic and life coach is underpinned with a PGCE and MA in practice education and Registered Nurse Teacher qualifications.

Meeting in a Safe Space

Rising Stars is an evidence-based programme created to be engaging, fun and transformational. It has been a privilege to meet over 40 nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) to date, sharing their career journey and facilitating professional discussions, using a coaching style in a psychologically safe space. The excellent feedback has been humbling.

With our years of experience, we were unsurprised by the diverse knowledge, skills and experience of the participants working in the community; including an Occupational Therapist qualified for one year, a District Nurse qualified over forty years, an Operational Manager after eight years wanting to change direction, a Physiotherapist who knew exactly where they wanted to be… and when. Some participants questioned why they had been nominated as a Rising Star, coming to the first session out of curiosity. “I’ve only been qualified a year” or “I’ve retired and returned; I’m no Rising Star”.

Unique roles, unique professionals, unique journeys. Community Nurses from all fields of practice and AHPs are brought together. They embraced the online sessions, engaged in lively discussions; sharing their own personal experiences, supporting one another.

The nurse-led programme provides participants with the tools, time and opportunity to realise and articulate their knowledge, skills and experience, identify what matters to them, and explore their aspirations, goals and dreams. In partnership with their employing organisation, this protected time to reflect, plan and share, focusing on their career has a provided a unique opportunity.

Career Development and Being Valued

Whilst there are recruitment and retention challenges, and we await the workforce plan to accompany the NHS 10 Year plan, we’ve still been able to offer an uplifting and innovative programme exploring progression within their current organisation.

Strangers brought together from across the country, they had one thing in common: being recognised by their employer as a Rising Star. This in itself has been very powerful, and added to this, the peer support is invaluable.

To be valued makes a difference. This has been evidenced in feedback, with 100% of participants surveyed saying they wish to stay with their current employer – 90% felt their organisation valued their development.

We believe all nurses and AHPs can shine at any stage of their career if provided with the right environment, support and tools. We have been there to coach, listen and share. The experience has been very fulfilling. The overwhelmingly positive feedback is testament to the structure, delivery and facilitation, proudly supporting the professional growth of nurses and AHPs working in the community.

As we begin to meet our 2025 Rising Stars, we remember our mantra: “Your organisation has recognised you, you are a Rising Star – we are just here to help you shine!”

How does it work?

Organisational Members can nominate two to four Rising Stars each year, who take part in four online career development support sessions. Participants receive a certificate on successful completion of the programme.

Participant Feedback on the Rising Stars Programme 

“Brilliant programme… a boost for my self-esteem and confidence.”

“Really beneficial to reflect on my self-worth and learn about the skills I already have to offer my organisation and my patients.”

“Connecting with like-minded people and seeing the difference in confidence… from the first session to the fourth.”

“Being able to share my thoughts and at the same time feeling encouraged to reflect on myself in more depth.”

100% of participants would recommend to a colleague.

100% wish to pursue their career with their current Trust.

Organisational Membership

If you’re interested in the Rising Stars Programme or our QICN Organisational Membership, you can find out more here. Please contact organisationalmembership@qicn.org.uk if you’d like to discuss further.