Staff Profile

A head shot of a smiling Sarah Thirtle stood face on looking directly into the camera

Sarah Thirtle

Biography

Before joining Buckinghamshire New University in 2017, I was an Advanced Practitioner in Education at Buckinghamshire College Group, having previously worked in the NHS for over twenty-five years. I qualified as a Registered Adult nurse in 1989, gaining experience in medicine, orthopaedics, rheumatology and stroke rehabilitation. I then undertook the Specialist Practitioner Qualification in District Nursing (SPQ DN) in 1995 and worked as a District Nurse caring for patients who were housebound and who had acute, complex and End of Life care needs.

I studied for my BSc (Hons) Community Health Care Nursing degree and Specialist Practitioner Qualification in District Nursing (SPQ DN) at Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education and was awarded BSc (Hons) by Brunel University. I later studied at Buckingham University achieving an MA in Education.

As part of my continued role in supporting the local community, my specialist knowledge has led me to work with a variety of different interest groups, such as supporting individuals who have the potential to become socially isolated. This voluntary work helps to ensure that marginalised individuals stay active, enhance their opportunities for social capital and continue to be connected to the wider society.

I am a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), The Higher Education Academy, and The Association of District Nurse Educators.

My career highlight to date is my ongoing work with students who are studying on the Specialist Practitioner Qualification programmes, guiding and facilitating their learning towards becoming highly skilled practitioners.