Helena Nash

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2021, I worked as a Practice Development Midwife, supporting professional educational development in the clinical environment. I have been a qualified midwife for over 20 years and have worked with in all areas of midwifery, with my last role as a Coordinating Senior Midwife on labour ward.

I studied for my BSc (Hons) at Leeds Metropolitan University 1996. I enjoy all areas of midwifery, however, key areas of interest to me are teaching clinical skills such as suturing, cannulation and enhanced newborn examination. I hold an academic qualification in newborn infant physical examination and believe that midwives are key lead professionals to perform this task as this supports continuity of carer and optimises opportunities for health promotion.

I am committed to obtain by Postgraduate Teaching certificate, whereby upon completion will allow me to be eligible for membership of the Academy of Medical Educators (AoME) and Fellowship status of Advanced Higher Education. I am a member of the NMC as a Registered Midwife and the Royal College of Midwives.

In 2019 undertook a Project Manager Specialist Midwife role with Health Education England where I helped to develop and deliver the North West London Maternity Support Worker Apprenticeship Programme. This was a pilot project, linked to the Maternity Transformation Programme as part of Better Births recommendations.  My involvement in the programme lasted 24 months and was a key driver for the development of subsequent MSW Apprenticeships that were established Nationwide.  

I have many career highlights, but most rewarding has been supporting and nurturing those within my care – this includes the establishment of new families but also students to support their transition into professional practice.

• Lecturer