Nicci Whiley
QUALIFICATIONS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
• Bachelor of Nursing (University of Cape Town) 1995 - 1998
• Advanced University Diploma in Nursing Education (University of Cape Town) 2002 - 2003
• Master of Science in Diabetes – with Distinction (University of South Wales) 2016 – 2019
• Registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Registered Nurse with Nursing Education, as well as an Assessor and Moderator - current
WORK EXPERIENCE
Freelancer/Self-employed: May 2016 – current
- Tutoring – Learna Ltd
I conduct freelance module tutoring for students currently completing the distance learning Postgraduate Diploma (PG) in Diabetes and the PG Diploma in Metabolic Medicine for the University of South Wales, via a third party, Learna Ltd. This is done via the online platform Moodle, which is 100% online and can thus be accessed at any time from any location around the world. The students are Physicians, GPs, Nurses, Podiatrists, and Dieticians from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures. This can often be a challenge; however, it provides a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary learning. The modules are completed over 6 weeks and consist of assignments, discussion forums, and an exam. My role is to facilitate self-learning and development, assess the assignments, and provide feedback, as well as prepare the students for the end-of-module exam.
I am currently involved in updating the curriculum with my colleagues at Learna Ltd.2 - Ad hoc medical receptionist – Dr Moray Shirley
I fill in on occasion as a medical receptionist for Dr Moray Shirley whom I had a good working relationship when I owned my diabetes practice. - Nurse Mentor (2022 project) – Learna Ltd
I was involved in a pilot project for Learna Ltd, mentoring nurses currently studying any of the PG diplomas offered by Learna Ltd and investigating ways in which to improve student retention.
Diabetes Nurse Educator (DNE) in Private Practice: May 2016 – October 2018 (Johannesburg)
In my practice called DiabetesSupport, I counselled patients with Type 2 Diabetes, providing disease education and management advice for those newly diagnosed and patients with existing diabetes. This included follow-up sessions done in person, online, or via telephone. My patients were referred to me by GPs, specialists, and self-referrals. Simultaneously, I completed my MSc in Diabetes and started tutoring the PG diploma in Diabetes. Unfortunately, from a financial point of view, DiabetesSupport was not viable, and the practice closed towards the end of 2018.
AstraZeneca - Learning and Development (L&D) Manager - May 2010 – April 2016; Product Trainer (Independent Contractor) June 2017 – June 2018 – Johannesburg
I was employed by AstraZeneca as an L&D Manager, responsible for training new and existing sales representatives in the Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Gastroenterology, Pain, and Respiratory entities across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. This included training and developing material on anatomy, physiology, disease, and treatment entities, clinical trial discussions, and assessment tools.
I was also responsible for providing extensive cross-cultural learning support for employees and the promotion of a culture of continuous learning through updated training, online support, and training sessions at national sales conferences and meetings. This involved extensive travel across Africa.
My dream to have my practice as a DNE came to fruition in 2016 and I decided to open my practice DiabetesSupport and leave AstraZeneca. I continued a year later to do training for 3
AstraZeneca’s recruits as an Independent Training Consultant. AstraZeneca restructured the organisation soon after, and my services were no longer required.
Sandoz - Training Manager: January 2009 – April 2010 - Johannesburg
I was employed by Sandoz as a Training Manager responsible for the training of new sales representatives on a multitude of disease areas and products as well as selling skills and change management. I also did a lot of in-field coaching with the sales force working with doctors and pharmacies. I was then offered a more senior position at AstraZeneca.
Jansen Cilag - Contract Trainer: January 2008 – December 2008 - Johannesburg
I began my career in pharmaceutical training by being employed as a contract trainer for Jansen Cilag. I completed a Train-the-Trainer course through the company and benefited from the mentorship of the experienced trainers at Jansen Cilag. This cemented my love for teaching in the medical arena. My contract ended after a year, whereafter I was employed full- time by Sandoz.
Novo Nordisk - Diabetes Nurse Educator (DNE): May 2005- October 2005 – Port Elizabeth
My love for diabetes education was re-established, and I was employed as a DNE for Novo Nordisk in Port Elizabeth. In this role, I met with newly diagnosed diabetic patients to teach them how to manage their diabetes with Novo Nordisk insulins. I was also involved in pharmacist and GP education about these products. I became pregnant with twins in 2005, and as this was a high-risk pregnancy, I decided to resign. My family moved to Johannesburg in 2006, where I was a full-time mom to my twins until 2008.
MediGuard Cleaning Services - Operations Manager: May 2004 – October 2004 – Cape Town
I was employed as an Operations Manager overseeing the cleaning services offered by MediGuard Cleaning Services at 4 Cape Town hospitals. My husband was transferred to Port Elizabeth in October 2004 whereafter we shortly moved cities.4
Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital - Registered Nurse (Paediatrics): October 2002 – April 2004 – Cape Town
I was employed as a registered nurse in the paediatric ward where I was second in charge on shift. This was a specialised ward with children mostly needing cardiac surgery. Whilst I was working at this hospital, I completed my Advanced University Diploma in Nursing Education. Although my wish was to move into Nursing Education, I was unexpectedly offered a management position at MediGuard after I completed my diploma and took the opportunity to gain managerial experience.
Eli Lilly - Diabetes Sales Representative: June 2001 – May 2002 – Cape Town
I was employed as a sales representative for Eli Lilly, promoting their insulins, oral diabetes medication, and monitoring devices. Part of this position involved patient and doctor education, which sparked my desire to move into medical or nursing education. Thus, I decided to resign and begin my studies part-time in Nursing Education. This is also where my love for diabetes and owning a practice began.
Guild Care - Registered Nurse: April 2000 – March 2001 – England
I travelled to the UK on a working holiday visa and funded my travels by doing locum work as a registered nurse for 3 elderly care homes in the south of England. My visa expired after a year, and thus I returned to South Africa, where I got married.
Constantiaberg MediClinic - Registered Nurse (Paediatrics): March 1999 – March 2000 – Cape Town
My first position as a qualified registered nurse was in the general paediatric ward at Constantiaberg MediClinic. I had the desire and opportunity to travel, and hence resigned to travel to the UK after gaining a year of experience.