Janette Bartle MSc Allergy, July 2008

Non-medical prescriber

Hi, I'm Janette Bartle and I studied MSc Allergy within Medicine at the University of Southampton.

Southampton was chosen because it offered a postgraduate specialist qualification in Allergy and had an excellent reputation. Gaining this qualification gives credibility to my work as an independent allergy nurse specialist.

Janette is an allergy nurse specialist who studied part-time for an MSc Allergy whilst working within an ENT department in Ipswich in Suffolk. She is a non-medical prescriber and has BSc (Hons) degree in nursing. She runs independent nurse-led allergy clinics carrying out allergy skin prick testing, offering full allergy assessment with medical management support and allergen avoidance information.

Her study was funded by the NHS and private sponsorship.

'This was a part time modular taught course on the mechanisms and management of allergic disease. The taught part of a module required you to attend lessons in the education centre at Southampton General Hospital for two or three days every six weeks.

At the time of study I had two young school children and although it took some organising at home, time at Southampton allowed me to be totally focused and access the resources at the Southampton library. This was also a good time to meet with other students and exchange emails which was a vital communication link between everyone when not at Southampton.

During my studies I stayed in the hospital accommodation and ate in the canteen, although basic, quite adequate for my needs and reasonably priced. Travel was tiring but the three hour drive from Ipswich to Southampton always gave me time for reflection.

The course broadened my understanding of allergy whilst introducing new concepts and ecological awareness. I also enhanced my computer skills through the research modules and developed skills in excel and statistical understanding.

Being organised was crucial and enabled me to find time for work family and study. Early mornings became a regular study time for me when others didn't need me. In fact I still use early mornings when I need time to get thing done both at home and at work.'