Ellie Gordon
Ellie Gordon is Chair of the RCN Mental Health forum, and a mental health and addiction specialist nurse. She has worked as a mental health nurse for over 20 years, working across the NHS, Social Care and PIVO during this time, she has worked in patient facing roles, operational and strategic management as well as occupying a commissioning role for a number of years.
Most recently she has occupied national roles in both NHS e/I and more recently Health Education England, where she currently works as senior nurse for learning disability and mental health in the Nursing and Midwifery directorate.
What does clinical supervision for nurses mean to you?
It gives us all space to breathe, it’s that time when we can take a moment to take a step back, both psychologically and emotionally. It is a chance to step away from patient care, and instead of thinking about everyone else, focus on ourselves and our professional development.
It’s a safe space where we can work through the highlights, the lowlights and everything in between. A space for us to reflect, grow and breathe.
It is something that as we progress and develop throughout our careers, will change and alter, as we change and alter. It flexes as our skills and knowledge develop, and continues to be responsive to our needs both personal and professional.
It has shaped me as the nurse I am today, and ensured that I am not only a reflective nurse but one who invariably recognises the benefit of listening to those who now most and best, our patients.
