Sharon Aldridge-Bent

About Me

I have over thirty years of experience working as a nurse, educator, academic and leadership expert. I have worked in the NHS, Higher Education, and the Charitable sector. 

​

Nursing background

​

I started my registered nursing career in the hospital setting and worked as a coronary care nurse before deciding to move to the community as a staff nurse in the district nursing service. I particularly enjoyed the independent nature of working in the community and admired the expert knowledge and practice of the district nurse. I then embarked on the Specialist Practitioner Qualification which completely opened my understanding of so many aspects of population health and district nursing practice.   I feel honoured and proud to have worked clinically as a District Nurse, a HIV Clinical Nurse Specialist, and a Macmillan Nurse in the community for many years. I thoroughly enjoyed my work serving older people and local communities in some of the most deprived areas of London.

​

University Senior Lecturer

​

I have twelve years of experience of being a senior lecturer in a university teaching post registration nursing students. I held a variety of roles including course leader for Mentorship in Professional Practice, along with community specialist qualifications.  I have been an external examiner for several Higher Education Institutions in England and Northern Ireland.  These roles have ensured that I continue to contribute to the development of nurse education,

Previous Director of Nursing at The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI)

​

As a Director of Nursing Programmes at the QNI, I developed the Queen’s Nurse Leadership programmes for aspiring nurse leaders and this programme has been externally evaluated. A unique element of both programmes was I had the opportunity to visit participants their place of work. I have been privileged to visit to support Executive Nurses in a variety of settings and to develop a deeper understanding of the development of Integrated Care Systems and Boards and the challenging leadership roles, responsibilities and accountability of the nurse working at an executive level.

​

Hospice Trustee Role 

​

I have experience and skills of working at board level as a Trustee for my local Hospice for twelve years. I worked closely with the whole Board on the strategic vision for the Hospice as they rapidly respond to changes in national and local policies. I developed an understanding of the importance of adhering to the strategic aims of the Hospice and the role that the Trustee in ensuring the delivery on the strategy, along with insight into the challenges that may hinder progress at times.

​

Inclusion Panel Role at Barts Healthcare Trust

​

I am passionate about equality, equity, and inclusion both within the workforce and the people served by organisations. I currently hold an advisory role on the Inclusion Panel at Barts Healthcare Trust and have inputted into their Equality and Diversity strategy. 

I have been a member of the CNO England BME Nursing Strategic Group since 2015 which has been invaluable experience of both understanding the issues faced in the NHS and wider system. I have contributed to the organising of the annual conference and have developed some vital networks with nurses across the UK.

​

Magistrate Role

I have been a Magistrate for over twenty years, and I have been a chair for the last seven years where I direct in open court and deliver pronouncements to all court users.

​

Professional Advisor Role Care Quality Commission

​

In this role I participated in inspections of both primary care and care home settings and developed a good grasp of regulation. I regularly advised these services around judgements of safety, effective care, responsive care and well-led domain.

​

Honours

​

In 2022 I was awarded the honour of MBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday honours for services to community nursing.

​