Ruqayya Hamza is a Staff Nurse working in a ward under the Division of Medicine for the Elderly (DME). She is a clinical educator (on secondment) at the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton Foundation Trust, based at the Royal Derby Hospital. Ruqayya recently completed a Florence Nightingale Foundation Fellowship, one of the incredible benefits of FNF Academy membership, and in this blog she tells us about her experience and the impact it’s had on her.
Why the FNF Fellowship?
Based on my previous experience of working in academia and having an inquisitive nature, I became passionate about building a research and academic career whilst working clinically. During the NIHR Predoc Fellowship 2022/2023, as the only Nurse in our Cohort, I learned, based on anecdotal evidence, that the misconception of nurses working in the hospital not being critical thinkers and not competitive, still lingers. I was also supporting Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and some of my colleagues were interested in research.
I realised I could contribute, encourage and support colleagues interested in research while working clinically; but I felt I needed the right leadership skills to do that. While building these thoughts, an email was sent across our division for the FNF Fellowship opportunity. Going down memory lane, I recalled being inspired at the discussions with one of my mentors (Mwansa) who was an FNF fellow so I decided to check out the FNF website to find out more about the programme,and was motivated by reading some of the blogs on the website. I applied and was successful at interview, I would be a trailblazer at UHDB.
“The sense of nervousness was replaced with anticipation, commitment and optimism for the upcoming months.”

Commencement of the Fellowship
The first few weeks into the Fellowship, I felt anxious and ambivalent but attending the FNF Academy Member Symposium at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in September 2023 was a light bulb moment for me. The sense of nervousness was replaced with anticipation, commitment and optimism for the upcoming months.
The Symposium was a diverse environment with professional nurses and Chief Nurses from all over the UK. The speech by Greta, FNF’s CEO was powerful as it highlighted the values and culture of the Foundation. The networking, presentations and world café had me mesmerized all the way back to Derby.
Topics on authentic leadership, innovation, the future of nursing and midwifery leadership was motivational. The FNF plans for international collaborations were exceptional. I learned about shared governance and had the opportunity to listen and learn from Rosa Waddingham (Chief Nurse Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS). The refreshing elderflower fizzy drink while taking a tour at the garden was a perfect way of ending the event.

FNF learning experience
As the fellowship progressed, I shared my experience with the Divisional Nurse Director for medicine and Lead Nurse Professional Standards.
There were lots of learning opportunities with ‘Curious Becks’ (Becky Thomas) and Jess Sainsbury and the core sessions were absolutely engaging, I was thrilled with the anticipation of what would come next. Each session came with a different experience and broadened my knowledge. The community of practice sessions were a great opportunity to link up with other Fellows from other trusts.
I had invaluable reverse mentorship sessions with Karen Hill (Lead Nurse Professional standards); part of the discussions we had involved my thoughts around fostering research in our Trust. Karen introduced me to Senior nurses/leaders in the Trust who supported me throughout my Fellowship journey. I also had the opportunity to take part in some projects like the Professional Inclusion Group, the Empathy and Excellence Group in the trust, and the CNO and CMO Race Equality and Inclusion Systems Reference Group Derbyshire.
The chance of shadowing leaders in our trust as part of developing leadership skills, was a great learning opportunity. I also participated in the FNF Advanced Practice Focus Group.
Through networking, with support from Karen Hill, Mwansa Mulenga, Helen Spiby, Katie Fielding, UHDB (University Hospitals Derby and Burton) Library services, DME matron and my ward manager, I was able to introduce a journal club which is aimed at improving safe and qualitative patient care through promoting research among nurses working in our trust. This will be achieved if the nurses keep up to date and are aware of the current/recent clinical research findings through published literature, improving their knowledge to guide clinical practice through Evidence Based Practice. In addition, this will boost critiquing/reflecting skills and promote interaction and team building through collaboration with colleagues and the wider team (including the library services).
“The FNF Fellowship has enabled me to gain leadership experience in a more practical way.”
The impact of the Fellowship
At the beginning of the Fellowship, I was unsuccessful at an interview which knocked my confidence a bit, but I learned from the experience. Reflecting on Debbie Preston (FNF Head of Nursing and Midwifery leadership) talking at the core session – Understanding Your Leadership Signature, I took a journey of self-discovery that enabled me to become more resilient and open to opportunities. Becky Thomas’ suggestion of listening to the podcast on self-awareness helped me understand my strengths and the values I uphold.
Furthermore, attending the FNF core session ‘Career Progression Strategies’ in addition to the interview shadowing I participated in at our Trust, I was able to identify what leadership means to me and I have embraced that authenticity.
Overall, the FNF Fellowship has enabled me to gain leadership experience in a more practical way and I have made good networking contacts with Fellows from other Trusts where we meet and share ideas.
What’s next?
I was invited to work with Mwansa to lead on the development of the 2024/2025 FNF Fellows. Having lived experiences of the programme, I am committed and determined to contribute, support and encourage colleagues to be involved in FNF.
I look forward to collaborating with other FNF Fellows in our Trust to form an FNF UHDB community of practice, to attend FNF events and I will continue to shadow my mentors where possible.
On my career journey as a clinical academic, I will be working with colleagues to make our journal club more engaging and I plan on making it Trust wide. I forecast quality improvement works coming from the club and I am on the lookout for new opportunities and am open to discussions with colleagues on how to improve research in our Trust.
FNF Academy Membership
If you would like to find out more about the FNF Academy Membership, including for Higher Education Institutes, please click here.