Career profile: Alison Wall

Why did you become a nurse?
I wanted to have a job that involved the direct and practical care of people, but also wanted to gain a degree and be challenged academically. I did a degree course in nursing from 1973 to 1978.

How has your career developed since you started nursing?
I completed my training at Middlesex Hospital, and then went on to do midwifery in Nottingham. I came back to London and worked as a midwife for a while and then started my health visitor training, qualifying in 1980. I worked as a midwife on night duty after having two children, returning to health visiting when they started school. I increased my hours to full time in 1996 and took on the role of a professional executive nurse in the primary care trust for four years. Afterwards, I worked as a safeguarding lead, then moved to London in September 2008 to work as a professional advisor at the NMC. Recently, I moved into public health, working as a strategist for children and young people.