Ona Croft Nurse
BIO
I am a recently retired Army Nurse who is passionate about health promotion and improvement, and values kindness, integrity and humour.
I served with the British Army for 16 years, working all over the world, including an exchange to Australia, two operational deployments to Iraq and one to Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis. I discovered my passion for health promotion whilst caring for service personnel and their families in Primary Care.
Although I retired from the Army in January 2021, I remain a part of the Military Community as an RAF wife, and mum to two hooligans who keep me on my toes. Currently employed as a Practice Nurse in a military Medical Centre in my new capacity as a civilian, I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of carving out a new niche for myself through my business which allows me to focus on the aspects of nursing I enjoy the most.
Caring, considerate, compassionate, (brutally) honest, and thoughtful, I love working closely with patients from all walks of life; getting to know them and empowering them to make positive changes to improve their health. I also enjoy spreading awareness about important health topics in a way that is accessible and impactful.
I enjoy baking, very amateur photography, and running, and recently completed my first (and last) marathon raising money for the Queen's Nursing Institute. I love to travel, and am always planning my next adventure.
As a working Mum, I have a good understanding of how challenging it can be to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I strive to achieve balance in my own life, and believe that equilibrium is key to a happy, healthy life.
A few random facts:
Ona is short for Fiona.
I'm teetotal, and have never been drunk.
I don't drink tea or coffee (but thoroughly enjoy my daily can of Diet Coke).
QUALIFICATIONS
Ona enjoys learning, and is committed to personal and professional development as dictated by the requirements of her regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). In addition to the qualifications and training listed below, she completes regular up-dates covering health-related topics such as Basic Life Support, Immunisations, Infection Prevention & Control and Safeguarding. She is currently studying a Level 2 qualification in Exercise to Music, and a Level 3 Pre/Post Natal Exercise Instructor qualification, which have both been delayed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, but which she hopes to complete this year.
2013
NURSING (BN)
University of Glasgow
2015
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT (L5 Diploma)
Institute of Leadership & Management
2016
IMMUNISATION TRAINING FOR NURSES
M&K Up-date
2016
MILITARY INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND TROPICAL MEDICINE COURSE
Royal Centre for Defence Medicine
2017
NCSCT FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING COURSE IN BEHAVIOURAL SUPPORT
National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training
2017
TRAVEL MEDICINE ADVISORS COURSE
Defence Medical Services
2018
UNDERSTANDING NUTRITION AND HEALTH (L2 Certificate)
East Riding College
2018
PREGNANCY & POST-PARTUM (Specialty Module)
National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training
2021
EXERCISE TO MUSIC INSTRUCTOR (L2)
Health and Fitness Education
2021
ADAPTING EXERCISE FOR ANTE AND POST NATAL CLIENTS (L3)
Health And Fitness Education
EXPERIENCE
I initially joined the British Army as a Medical Support Officer in a Leadership and Management role, which took me around the world. In 2010, I transferred to the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps to complete my nurse training in Glasgow, before moving to Surrey in 2013 as a newly qualified Army Nurse.
I completed a 12 month preceptorship prior to deploying to Sierra Leone in 2014 as a Shift Leader to care for patients with Ebola Virus Disease. In 2016, I finally achieved my goal of moving into Primary Healthcare, where I remained until she retired from the Army in January 2021.
Still employed by the Ministry of Defence as a Practice Nurse, I launched my business in 2021 to allow me to utilise my expertise, working with clients who are seeking to improve their health.
2013 - 2016
Secondary Healthcare
Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey
Cardiology
Medical Acute Dependency Unit
Medical Assessment Unit
Ambulatory Care Unit
2016 - DATE
Primary Healthcare
Defence Primary Healthcare, UK
Triage
Minor Illness/Injuries
Chronic Disease Management
Wound Management
Health Promotion
Smoking Cessation
Healthy Lifestyle Support