The Programme 

The Preparing for Practice Programme has been developed by a multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, nurses and teachers from Manchester Metropolitan University and Middle Tennessee State University. This programme aims to prepare trainees for the emotional demands of working in occupations where their responsibility is to care for others.  

This programme contains six topics covering the emotional demands of working as a helping professional, the impact of secondary trauma and accumulation of stress, self-awareness, reflective practice, resilience and self-care.  

Through the pack you will use a workbook which can be downloaded in the first topic. This workbook will be used to record your reflections which you are prompted to complete through the pack.  

The Authors  

Dr. Kate Whittenbury is a tutor and researcher in the School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the impact of secondary trauma on helping professionals who support trauma survivors, and preventative ways of buffer associated potential negative effects. Kate has written topics one and two in this programme.  

Dr. Yvonne Creighton is an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at Middle Tennessee State University. She teaches mental health nursing to undergraduate and graduate nursing students and developed the curriculum for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) program. Her research focuses on improving the well-being of nursing students through health coaching and resilience training; she also maintains a clinical practice as an PMHNP. She has contributed to topics three and six this programme. 

Melissa Palicka is a clinical associate professor in the School of Nursing at Middle Tennessee State University.  She teaches and coordinates Pediatric Clinicals for undergraduate nursing students. Melissa’s area of interest is in helping nursing students successfully transition to professional nursing practice via coping skills, stress management and development of resilience. She contributed to topics three and six. 

Dr Matt Brooks is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University.  Matt’s research focuses on trauma and its psychological impacts, exploring both negative and positive adaptations, the factors influencing recovery, and how trauma-informed, strengths-based approaches can enhance wellbeing. His current research focuses on understanding the strengths that contribute to resilience after violent victimisation, and also work around supporting juror wellbeing in response to distressing criminal cases.  Matt has contributed to topics four and five in this programme. 

Dr. Kalum Bodfield is a senior lecturer and programme leader in the School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. His research focuses on wellbeing and self-perception in academic contexts. He has contributed to topic four in this programme.  

Claire Agius is doctoral researcher and research associate across the Schools of Education and Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research explores the intersection of ecological systems, emotional labour, and the wellbeing of adoptive parents and teachers. Claire has contributed to topic five in this programme. 

Annabel McAreavey is a doctoral researcher in the School of Psychology. Her research expertise includes intervention design, trauma-informed education, and child mental health and wellbeing. Her PhD designed a trauma-informed wellbeing curriculum for Key Stage 1 primary school pupils. Annabel has contributed to topic five in this programme.  

We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Hannah Jeffries, Kate Porcheret, and Ana Maia. They were instrumental in bringing all the pieces of this project together, transforming an idea into reality. 

This pack will take around 5-6 hours to complete and is worth 25 Rise points.