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David, one of our clinical nurse practitioners talks through about his nursing career for International Nurses Day

In celebration of International Nurses Day 2023, David Ferry, our clinical lead nurse practitioner tells us about his progression throughout his nursing career and how his experience and skills have continually developed.

“Having completed my nurse training within Northumbria, I qualified as a nurse in 2008. My first staff nurse job was working in emergency care; this involved me rotating between A&E and the Medical Admission Units, allowing me to learn to care for patients of all ages presenting with a wide range of health issues.

I was able to undertake further training supported by my colleagues including my top up degree, as well as courses such as NACAN, Advanced Life Support and the ALERT course.

In 2012 I was promoted to a trainee nurse practitioner within surgery. During my time here I completed a portfolio of competencies ranging from non-medical, medical, surgical and orthopaedics.

Having worked alongside some great nurse practitioners, I wanted to increase my knowledge and experience and I later took a post as a night nurse practitioner. Returning to work in ED, I would see patients directly, admitting and discharging them, as well as working “back of house”, ensuring timely medical reviews and supporting the nursing staff looking after patients.

Within this role I learned more about non-clinical care which helped me develop my leadership skills which would help me throughout my career. To help with this, I completed a leadership course within the trust as well as minor injuries training.  

Not long after the opening of NSECH, I joined the urgent treatment centre at NTGH which allowed me to fully focus on urgent clinical care across all age ranges and see multiple specialities a day.

I then moved to Northumbria Primary Care. GP practice was a whole new challenge for me and there was a lot to learn, however my previous roles helped me to build confidence and build a nurse practitioner team that could be flexible. As a team we would visit patients at home to help patients who are unable to leave their homes gain access to urgent appointments.

As my passion in nursing remained in the acute hospital setting, I later returned to NSECH, helping to set up a practitioner workforce on the surgical assessment unit. I was appointed to clinical lead nurse practitioner for the emergency surgery and elective care business unit.

I now lead a team of over 70 practitioners in a blended workforce covering Ambulatory Care, step down surgical ward at NTGH and elective orthopaedic and surgical wards at Hexham and Wansbeck.

I’m very grateful to have met some great people in the trust who have supported and encouraged my development. I will always first and foremost be a nurse, and I’m very proud to be able to call myself a nurse.”