Janet Dalzell

Janet Dalzell qualified with a Bachelor of Nursing in 1999 and was the first Distance Learning Centre student to be awarded a Master of Nursing degree with Distinction in July 2007..

Background

My professional focus has always been deeply rooted in evidence based practice, professional development and service improvement. The health service in Scotland has evolved significantly since I qualified originally in the mid 1980's. More importantly throughout these changes and progress, nursing education has developed, influencing the impact nurses have on service development and improvement.

Distance Learning

I decided to study with the DLC because I recognised a need to continue with my own professional development. At that time, further education was self financed, was completed in spare time after a full time job, plus I also had very young children and did not have the time to commit to attending university lectures. The DLC was ideal because it fitted into my life and I did not have to fit into another schedule. Also I guess at that I wanted to dip my toe in the water and see if I could do this 'academic stuff'!

Career Development

Without a doubt my studies have had an impact on my job. Without having a BN qualification in 1999 I would not have been in a position to apply for a project post which involved reviewing the community neonatal services. Studying theory and making the all important links with practice has without a doubt developed my critical thinking skill and analytical skills in a holistic manner to a point of being able to contribute to positive practice development and change management to enhance patient service. The beauty of the programme is the total encouragement from the tutors to apply theory to practice and analyse real situations making the personal and professional development real-time. This essentially is why the DLC have played such an important role in my career because without one or the other I would not have developed in the way I have.

Distance Learning Centre Programmes

Once I completed my BN I immediately started my Master of Nursing. This was in part due to the excellent support, advice and guidance offered by the whole team, who genuinely have a real interest in the students. I feel that the attention to building up confidence in your ability cannot be over emphasised and for me that has helped me get to where I am today. There is absolutely nothing too silly or anything that cannot be discussed which I feel is crucial to the whole learning experience.