Dr Crystal Oldman has announced her retirement from the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) after more than a decade as the charity’s chief executive.
The search for a new leader has launched this morning, with applications open until the middle of February.
Dr Oldman said it had been an ‘honour and a privilege’ to hold the role for the last 12 years and that she looked forward to seeing the organisation ‘grow and develop under new leadership’.
Founded in 1887, the QNI is believed to be the oldest nursing charity in the world and was the vision of philanthropist William Rathbone and nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.
The charity operates a broad range of programmes and networks, including its recently launched general practice nursing network.
The chief executive job will be advertised on the QNI website sometime this morning, with applications due by midday on Friday 14 February.
Dr Crystal Oldman said: ‘The chief executive of the QNI is a champion and leader of community nursing.
‘Leading the organisation at a time of rapid change in health and social care will be an exciting challenge.
‘The QNI has built a reputation as a professional organisation with excellent networks of nurses at every level of expertise and in all fields of practice in the community.
‘Working together, we improve care for the individuals, families and communities served by nurses in all community settings.’
She added: ‘To hold the position of chief executive is both an honour and a privilege.
‘I look forward to seeing the Institute grow and develop under new leadership.’
Dr Oldman is understood to be remaining in post until a replacement is found.
During her time at the helm, Nursing in Practice has interviewed Dr Oldman on several occasions, including just before Christmas when she stressed general practice nurses (GPNs) were ‘very much part of the community nursing family’.
In recent months, Dr Oldman has been among those raising concerns about a ‘discriminatory’ digital badge introduced for advanced nurse practitioners in general practice.
In March 2024, she gave a keynote at an exclusive Nursing in Practice event in London in which she warned GPNs were being ‘put to one side’ in place of other staff in GP practices.
And in late 2023, Dr Oldman highlighted that GPNs were experiencing ‘a pattern of being ignored’ despite their vital contributions within the health service.
