Joanne Brown was the first Endocrine Clinical Nurse Specialist at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust. She has had an active part in the Society’s Committees since 2021, joining the Nurse Committee in 2022. She tells us about her nursing career path, and how joining our Committee helped her grow both her network and her confidence.

How did you become involved with governance at the Society?

I commenced the Endocrine Clinical Nurse Specialist role at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust in March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a brand new role for the Trust and I initially worked from home, as I had to shield at that time. 

My background is in critical care and neurosurgery as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. As I was new to the Endocrine Specialist Nurse role and was working alone from home, I reached out to the Society for Endocrinology for support. I then became more involved with the Society and was keen to contribute as a voice for Early Career Nurses, so I applied and joined the Early Career Steering Group in March 2021, which later became the Early Career Committee. I then joined the Nurse Committee in January 2022, and am still a part of that today.

How did your experience support your role in governance?

Having previously been an experienced Advanced Nurse Practitioner in both neurosurgery and critical care, I was aware of my knowledge gaps in endocrinology when I moved to the field. I had ideas about the support I needed to bridge these gaps. For example, I had limited knowledge and experience in setting up a nurse-led clinic and needed to develop my skills in managing adrenal adenomas, amongst other things. 

Having had experience networking and presenting at a regional conference in my previous roles, I shared my needs with the Society, suggesting that webinars on different subjects might help myself and the wider Early Career Nurse community, and that I was happy to host and present within these webinars. I also felt that networking and supporting each other with guidance from more experienced endocrine nurses would be beneficial for lots of Early Career Nurses. By joining the Early Career Committee, I was able to voice their ideas and my own thoughts. This experience then gave me the confidence to apply for a position on the Nurse Committee.

What did you expect before you took up your role?

I hadn’t realised how welcoming the Committees would be. They are approachable and they value your contribution; everyone’s views or opinions are respected. I was concerned about the commitment needed to attend meetings, but this is actually very easily managed. Advance notice is given of meetings and, if I am unable to attend a meeting face-to-face, there has always been the opportunity to attend them virtually. Therefore, being involved with the Committee has not impacted my clinical workload.

What have your highlights been?

I have enjoyed gaining experience at both the Endocrine Nurse Updates and the SfE BES conferences, as well as the opportunity to co-Chair presentations. Through these Committee roles, I have had the confidence to make suggestions and help develop a Regional Endocrine Nurse Network for the Northern Region. 

My Committee roles have been invaluable for networking with experienced endocrine nurses, who have supported me with my role and development. Having been a lone worker in my role at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, I can say that the Committees help you to feel part of a wider specialist nurse team. 

The Committees also support you to expand your knowledge, which empowered me to develop the service I deliver at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, and so improve patient care. I have also had the opportunity to contribute to The Endocrine Post and to co-write an article for The Endocrinologist.

Has anything surprised you about the role?

I didn’t realise how many opportunities there are to input at a national level, both at conferences and on major issues such as NICE guidelines. I found it was interesting to work alongside scientists and researchers within the Early Career Committee, as this was a new experience for me. It is good to learn about other roles within endocrinology.

What is your advice for members who are interested in applying for a Committee role?

Reach out to Committee members and the Society, and talk to them about the roles. If you are interested in a role, apply for the position: you will learn something new, the experience will be beneficial to your career and you can help to develop areas within the Society that benefit its members. Get involved!

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