03.11.2025 Juanita
From NHS emergency care nursing to social care: a compelling career journey to inspire us all!
Join us in celebrating International Women's Day as we honour the remarkable career journeys of some of our valued customers in the field of social care. This occasion is dedicated to sharing their inspiring stories, highlighting their significant achievements and the invaluable contributions they make to our communities every day.
Shining a spotlight on Claire Picton, Registered General Nurse at St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home
Frontline hero
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Following in her mother's footsteps, Claire embarked on her nursing career at 18 in the NHS, while her mother started nursing in her early twenties.
Claire worked directly in the NHS or at the local university for over three decades, supporting post-registration nurses.
Whilst at the NHS, Claire witnessed the urgency and intensity of healthcare, where every shift brought new challenges and opportunities to impact the lives of patients.
"I truly enjoyed my work in the emergency department, where each shift was filled with a wide range of experiences. The days passed quickly due to the constant influx of patients, each with unique stories and needs.
I found immense satisfaction in being there for people during their most vulnerable moments, offering support and medical care when they needed it most. It was incredibly rewarding to be the individual who acted decisively in critical situations, providing care that could often mean the difference between life and death. However, after more than 30 years, I wanted a change. I was ready for a still rewarding role but one that offered less intensity and allowed me to focus on different aspects of care."
It wasn't until Claire's late 50s that she transitioned to the social care sector, seeking a more balanced and slightly less stressful work environment while still being able to contribute to the wellbeing of others.
Moving to adult social care services
St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home
Claire's husband, who serves as a Church of England priest and has a background in nursing, had been regularly visiting St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home to conduct religious services. During one of their discussions about Claire's desire to leave the NHS, her husband mentioned that St. Mary's was looking for help with consultancy work. Recognising the opportunity, he connected Claire with the care home staff who interviewed her for the role.
Claire accepted the role of a nurse consultant focused on practice development, where she worked on enhancing care planning processes by overseeing the rollout of Person Centred Software's digital social care record system, mCare.
Additionally, Claire guides staff members through their professional learning journeys and actively encourages and develops the nursing team, helping them acquire new skills and knowledge essential for providing high-quality care in a nursing home setting.
A published author and entrepreneur
Alongside her work at St. Mary's Convent and Nursing Home, Claire has pursued her passion for writing and is an award-winning author.
Supported by her husband Ken, son Jay, wider family and close friends, she has written "Nursing: Your Registration - The Guide to Revalidation with Ease," a comprehensive resource designed to help nurses confidently navigate the complexities of registration and revalidation.
Claire has already started writing her next piece, a memoir titled "Look After Yourself." This upcoming book aims to share her journey and insights, highlighting the importance of self-care and wellbeing in the demanding field of nursing.
Through her writing, Claire seeks to inspire others to prioritise their health while caring for those in need.
Claire also held the position of consultant editor for the Emergency Nurse Journal for nine years, from 2005 to 2014. She played a crucial role in shaping the journal's content by collaborating closely with the editor.
Claire drew upon her extensive knowledge, experience and contacts in the speciality to generate innovative content ideas that kept the journal relevant and up to date with current trends and challenges in emergency nursing. She ensured the journal reflected the latest developments in urgent and emergency care, addressing the specific needs and concerns of nurses working in these high-pressure environments.
Through her guidance, the Emergency Nurse Journal became a vital resource for professionals seeking to enhance their practice and improve patient care in emergency settings.
In addition to the above, Claire runs her own company, CP Develops, a consultancy and coaching business. Her mission is to empower nurses by providing them with the resources and support they need to flourish in their careers.
Claire believes every nurse deserves the opportunity to excel in a profession they are passionate about. Whether helping them advance their skills, offering mentorship, or providing guidance for those considering a career transition, CP Develops is dedicated to ensuring that nurses can either thrive in the profession they love or leave with integrity.
Volunteering to make a difference
Claire actively participates in her local church, The Church of England, which plays a vital role in the community. The church is currently engaged in several initiatives to support its community, from tackling loneliness, isolation, poverty, hunger and abuse to finding ways of addressing a lack of integration between ethnic groups right through to promoting local recycling initiatives.
These projects reflect the church's commitment to community action, a core value that has guided its work for centuries. Claire finds fulfilment in contributing to these efforts, fostering connections among church members and the wider community.
Additionally, in her spare time, Claire was a member of the Shared Interest Council for 8 years and is now an ambassador.
Shared Interest is an ethical investment organisation that aims to alleviate poverty by helping people in remote and disadvantaged communities trade and earn a living.
Being a council member, Claire helps keep the Society faithful to its mission and ensures the strategy of the Society and the interests of members remain aligned.
Claire also volunteers at Supporting Healthcare Heroes (SHH-UK), a UK charity which advocates for and supports UK healthcare workers living with Long Covid.
"I enjoy volunteering at Supporting Healthcare Heroes because I feel I'm making a positive difference in people's lives. Many healthcare workers have been working on the frontline throughout the pandemic, often without adequate protective equipment, putting themselves at risk to help others.
For a significant proportion of healthcare workers, their reward has been Long Covid and an uncertain future professionally and personally. SHH-UK aims to provide financial relief through one-off grants for loss of income or other needs arising from the effects of Long Covid".
To those who inspire me
"Liz Smith is the first person who comes to mind when I think of inspiration. When I started at St. Mary's, she was the matron and registered manager. Over the years, Liz has impressively advanced to the position of managing director, reflecting her dedication and exceptional leadership abilities.
What truly sets Liz apart and inspires me is her proactive approach to addressing challenges head-on. In social care, using one's initiative and taking charge of situations is crucial rather than merely responding to events after they have unfolded.
For instance, at the very onset of the pandemic, while many were still grappling with fear and uncertainty, Liz immediately recognised the seriousness and urgency of the situation. She swiftly ordered PPE and all other essential supplies necessary to safeguard the health of staff and residents. This decisive action demonstrated her impressive ability to handle a crisis with clarity and efficiency.
Beyond Liz, I find myself also deeply inspired by each of my colleagues, both present and past. Everyone uniquely contributes to our shared mission, whether it's their unwavering compassion for residents, excellent teamwork, or relentless dedication to high-quality resident care. Together, we form a supportive and resilient community that continually strives to improve the lives of those we serve."
What does International Women's Day mean to you, and why do you think celebrating women in social care is important?
Recognising the invaluable contributions of women in health and social care is vital, as these skilled professionals excel in their roles every day yet often fail to communicate their successes to the wider public.
The social care workforce is made up of around 80% women, underscoring their vital contribution.
Additionally, over three-quarters of all NHS employees and 90% of registered nurses and midwives in England are women.
International Women's Day is a day for cooperation and unity among women and a huge opportunity to ensure our contributions are widely recognised and appreciated.
It is also a moment to honour and celebrate all the women across the globe and acknowledge those courageous individuals who have stood at the forefront of the fight against gender discrimination. This includes recognising the efforts of those who have worked tirelessly for equity in legal, civil, and human rights and paying tribute to those who have sacrificed their freedom or even their lives in these endeavours.
Recognising their invaluable contributions raises awareness of their challenges and highlights the importance of empowering them as we strive for a more equitable society.
Shining a spotlight on Caroline Inch, Director of Care and Operations and a qualified specialist in dementia care at B&M Care
From being in care to becoming a leader in care: a powerful story to motivate us all!
Shining a spotlight on Lisa Stevenson, the Lead Activities Coordinator for Kingsmead Care Home
An extraordinary individual committed to uplifting the lives of others and making a positive impact in their community.
Shining a spotlight on Jemma Robinson, Chief Operating Officer at Person Centred Software
From administrator to care home manager to chief operating officer, we celebrate International Women's Day by highlighting Jemma's remarkable career journey in social care.
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