Reflections on one year as a Consultant Nurse Approved Clinician
Since starting his career in healthcare in 2005 and qualifying as a Registered Nurse in 2009, James Osben, Consultant Nurse and Approved Clinician, joined our organisation in 2016 and has worked in many different nursing and leadership roles. Here, he reflects on his first year working as a Consultant Nurse Approved Clinician.
James says: "I feel both proud and deeply grateful for the journey so far. It has been an incredibly rewarding year, full of learning, collaboration, and moments that have reaffirmed why I chose to work in Older People's Mental Health.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside the Meadow View team, and it has been a real privilege to be part of such a kind, caring, compassionate, and highly professional workforce. Every day, I see staff go above and beyond for our patients and their families. This commitment was recently reflected in the glowing feedback received during the CQC Mental Health Act monitoring visit, where patients and relatives spoke so positively about the care, respect, and dignity shown by our team. I am immensely proud to work within such a supportive and dedicated environment.
"My role as a Multi-Professional Approved Clinician (MPAC) allows experienced medical and non-medical clinicians to undertake the statutory role of Responsible Clinician. It represents an excellent opportunity for career progression to consultant level practice and demonstrates the valuable contributions that can be made by professionals from a wide range of senior clinical backgrounds. Nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers bring unique perspectives, skills, and strengths that can only enhance patient care and treatment.
"As a Nurse Non-Medical Prescriber and Approved Clinician, I function as Responsible Clinician for patients on the ward, leading on key decisions around care, treatment, and risk management. This is a significant responsibility, and I greatly value the collaborative approach that underpins our work. The insights, experience, and dedication of healthcare support workers, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and doctors are essential in delivering safe, effective, and person-centred care.
"I work closely alongside Dr Van Buren-Schele, our Consultant Psychiatrist, and this partnership has worked exceptionally well. I value his extensive knowledge and clinical expertise, and we meet weekly to share reflections, insights, and professional perspectives. This regular collaboration strengthens our collective oversight of care and treatment and supports high-quality decision-making. Together, we strive to ensure consistency, continuity, and excellence in care. Feedback from patients and relatives has been very positive, and this is reflected in meaningful outcomes for those we support.
"As a Consultant Nurse, I work across the four pillars of consultant-level practice: expert clinical practice, leadership, education, and research. This framework ensures that my role remains grounded in high-quality patient care, while also contributing to service development, staff learning, and evidence-based improvement.
"During my time in post, I was fortunate to undertake and complete a Chief Nurse Research Fellowship, which focused on exploring staff interest in mindfulness-based practice and Compassion-Focused Therapy. This experience strengthened my commitment to developing psychologically informed and compassionate care environments. Building on this work, I am currently completing a Master's degree, further exploring the use of mindfulness in Older People's Mental Health inpatient settings to benefit both staff and patients, and to enhance compassionate ward cultures.
"Looking ahead, my aspiration is to work towards doctoral-level study and research that will help to make a positive and sustainable difference to care and treatment across all Older People's Mental Health inpatient services. I am passionate about using research, reflection, and collaboration to improve outcomes and experiences for the people we support.
"I feel incredibly privileged to work with such an incredible team and alongside such dedicated colleagues. This first year has reinforced my belief in the power of teamwork, compassion, and shared leadership. I look forward to continuing this journey, learning from those around me, and contributing to the ongoing development of high-quality, person-centred mental health care.
"Thank you to everyone who has supported, challenged, and inspired me along the way."
Below is a poem that James wrote recently and shared with his colleagues and patients:
Walking Beside You
We do not come with all the answers,
Nor claim to know your way,
We come to walk beside you
Through each uncertain day.
We listen more than we speak at first,
We sit, we wait, we stay,
For healing often starts with this:
To feel heard in your pain.
We see the fear, the sorrow,
The weight you've had to bear,
And meet it not with judgement,
But time, and truth, and care.
Your story matters, every part,
The past, the now, the then,
You are not just a diagnosis,
You are you, again and again.
Together we will find small steps,
A steadier ground to stand,
Not rushing hope, but holding it
Gently, hand in hand.
Some days will feel like progress,
Some days like standing still,
Yet both are part of healing's path
And worthy of our will.
We walk with empathy as guide,
With compassion as our art,
Knowing real recovery
Begins within the heart.
And when you're strong enough to lead,
We'll gladly step aside,
Proud to have been present
While you reclaimed your stride.
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