A former nightclub manager has joined the ranks of the nursing elite.
Karen Watkins ran the night spot in her early twenties, but realised it wasn’t very child friendly when she started having a family.
So she swapped rhythms for remedies, and retrained as a nurse. And now around 22 years later she has been recognised as being at the top of the profession as she has been named a Queen’s Nurse.
Karen said: “Its’ overwhelming. I didn’t realise what a process you have to go through, you really have to prove yourself.”
She is looking forward to sharing best practice with similar nurses across the country.
The title Queen’s Nurse is awarded by the Queen’s Nursing Institute, and is restricted to nurses who work in the community and have proved their dedication to the role. It offers opportunities to network with peers and further study.
Karen said: “One of my passions is valuing community staff, I don’t think they know how fantastic they are.
“The papers are always focussing on hospitals, but the majority of care is in the community, and most people want their care in the community.”
Karen said she didn’t put a great deal of thought into nursing as a career, but is glad she chose it. “It is the best thing I have ever done.”
She got a taste for community nursing when on placement as part of her training. After a short stint as a theatre nurse she joined the community nursing team based at Beaumont Leys health centre. She is now the senior nurse for complex care, leading the clinical care for nurses who cover Rutland, Melton, and much of Charnwood for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
Karen has three children, and lives in Thurmaston.