Alice: Navigating Career Growth Through Apprenticeship
Alice Stroud is a Clinical Nurse Specialist and Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner with the Adolescent Treatment Team (formerly known as the Lewisham Young People's Service) within Lewisham CAMHS. With a passion for enhancing care delivery and advancing her clinical expertise, Alice's professional journey has been significantly shaped by her decision to pursue a master's apprenticeship in Advanced Clinical Practice.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Alice's decision to embark on this three-year apprenticeship was driven by her aspirations to become a specialist nurse consultant.
She explains:
I wanted to enhance and grow my skills and knowledge relating to my scope of practice, particularly in working with young people experiencing psychosis.
She was also motivated to broaden her expertise to improve the overall quality of care delivered to service users. The apprenticeship route offered Alice a practical solution that allowed her to balance study and work.
A Learning Journey: Key Skills and Knowledge Gained
Throughout the apprenticeship, Alice has developed a wealth of knowledge and skills across four key pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.
The clinical pillar has been particularly impactful, as Alice has expanded her understanding of physical health assessments within mental healthcare settings. She highlights the importance of being better equipped to identify and manage physical health conditions that may affect young people.
This understanding has enhanced her clinical practice and improved her ability to deliver high-quality care to patients and their families.
In addition to clinical skills, the apprenticeship has allowed Alice to explore educational roles.
She says:
I’ve gained confidence in delivering training to others. As well as participating in quality improvement and development initiatives within the Trust.
Alice’s involvement in research has also been transformative. Her dissertation project, a key component of the final year of the apprenticeship, has given her first-hand experience in conducting research and contributing to evidence-based practice.
Balancing Work and Study
The apprenticeship structure provides 7.5 hours of protected practice time per week, which Alice utilises by attending university lectures and online tutorials on Wednesdays.
It’s challenging but essential for maintaining a balance between work responsibilities and academic commitments.
Support and Mentorship
One of the key factors contributing to Alice’s positive apprenticeship experience has been the support she has received from colleagues and mentors.
Alice explains:
Having a dedicated practice assessor, typically a consultant psychiatrist, has been incredibly beneficial. They offer supervision, guidance, and opportunities to engage in meetings with the university and the Trust.
Alice has also benefited from placements and shadowing opportunities in different teams, including adult services and pharmacy settings.
She reflects:
Returning to the wards where I previously worked and gaining prescribing skills in diverse environments has been invaluable.
