Kayleigh Lavelle

My nursing background started in the role of an NHS Sister/Stroke Specialist Nurse in Acute Medicine for five years. I then moved to the community as a Band 7 Senior Clinical Practitioner to assess elderly patients in their own homes and work alongside community matrons as a hospital avoidance service to treat patients at home to avoid hospital admissions. In both roles, I managed a team of staff and a large caseload of complex patients.

I then moved into primary care, working in a GP practice as a Nurse Practitioner, treating patients with both acute presentations and chronic long-term conditions. I was also Learning Disabilities Lead. I am an Independent Nurse Prescriber and gained other extended skills.

In 2021, I moved into teaching and joined the University of Sunderland. I am thoroughly enjoying this new career path as I have always loved teaching, learning, clinical supervision, and mentoring roles throughout my career.

I am Deputy Programme Leader for a new postgraduate apprenticeship programme Enhanced Clinical Practitioner, and Deputy Leader for BSc (Hons) Nursing (Top-Up) ICBT in Sri Lanka. I am a module leader on BSc (Hons) Nursing (Top-Up) on campus and teach Managing and Effecting Change in Healthcare.

I have just completed my Postgraduate Certificate in Education and I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.  I teach postgraduate CPD short course modules within nursing such as Respiratory, Ear Care Management, and Nurse Prescribing for Health Professionals. I am a personal academic tutor and dissertation supervisor.

I am currently studying for my MSc in Education. My interests and research areas now include education research to enhance the student's journey exploring teaching and learning, student assessment and UDL, and also clinical practice research to improve patient care and safety.

Clinical research interests are Stroke Care, Leadership and Management, Clinical Supervision, Mentoring roles, Patient Safety, Multiple Sclerosis, Nutrition and Diseases, and Advanced Clinical Practice.

Personally, I love to keep active and keep my brain active. I go on daily walks, hiking on weekends, and exploring new places, as well as yoga. I love reading, researching, going to the gym, and spending time with my children.