JULIE WESTLAKE

Julie brings over 27 years of NHS experience to her role in higher education.

After completing her nurse training at the University of Chester, she spent seven years on an orthopaedic trauma ward before advancing to the postoperative recovery room, where she worked for 14 years. Throughout this time, Julie consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to developing others, qualifying as an assessor in nurse training to strengthen her impact on student learning.

Driven by her dedication to high‑quality education and learner support, Julie moved into a Practice Education Facilitation role within the Trust. She then joined Edge Hill University as a Practice Education Lecturer and has since progressed into a full‑time Lecturer in Nurse Education, where she continues to lead, influence, and shape the development of future nurses.

Julie serves as the Programme Lead for the BSc Nursing programme, driving academic quality, programme development, and student success.

Previously, she made significant contributions to the Master’s in Nursing and Social Work (MNSW) programme, where she led teaching on preparation for practice and the development of confident, capable, integrated practitioners.

Her expertise and leadership extend across key areas, including:

• Mentorship in professional practice across multiple professional groups

• Preparation for practice for both BSc Nursing and MNSW students

Julie is the Recruitment Lead for the BSc Nursing programme, having previously held this position within the MNSW programme.

She currently serves as an Education Partner to local Trusts, where she drives the development of practice learning areas and ensures high‑quality placement experiences. Julie works proactively with external partners to expand capacity across the region and to strengthen the support available to students.

She also leads widening‑participation activity with local colleges, delivering subject taster sessions and hands‑on learning experiences that inspire prospective students and promote accessible pathways into nursing and healthcare careers.