Lizzie Franklin-Jones MBE

A passion for nursing

Throughout her career, Lizzie has been driven by a deep passion for innovation, compassion, and autonomy in nursing, using these values to create meaningful and lasting change in people’s lives.

“I never quite knew what I wanted to be growing up, but I knew I cared deeply for people. It was my mum who suggested nursing, and how lucky I am that she did. Nursing has given me a life full of purpose, connection, and opportunity, and I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling path.”

“I loved nursing from the very first day of my studies at the University of Hertfordshire, and I met some of my best friends at university too. I remember the first cannula I removed from a patient, even the way my first placement smelled, and the amazing teachers and placement mentors who inspired me."

Reaching career goals in nursing

As soon as she graduated, Lizzie was offered a Band 5 position within the emergency department where she’d completed her final 12-week placement. “It was a fantastic transition,” she says, “though I remember being such a confident final-year student, but a rather wobbly newly qualified nurse. It took me a little time to find my feet, but those early experiences shaped who I am today.”

Lizzie later spent two years in Australia, working as an Emergency Nurse at Sydney Children’s Hospital and travelling the world, “I had the time of my life!” she says. Returning to the UK, Lizzie worked as a Band 6 nurse through an agency, gaining valuable experience across different hospitals and clinical areas, but none quite met her expectations until she joined East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, where she was able to truly grow and develop her skills, knowledge, and leadership.

Lizzie’s career journey has led her from an Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Ward Manager, and Matron to Divisional Director of Nursing for Children and Young People, “in my role as an NHS Leader, I work strategically to shape the vision and future of children’s services in collaboration with exceptional partners and stakeholders. Leadership is one of my greatest passions. I strive to build genuine, trusting relationships grounded in emotional intelligence, open communication, and a deep respect for the art of nursing.” “In my role as an Advanced Paediatric Life Support Instructor I have truly found a dream job, and I’m proud to have the privilege of teaching doctors and nurses across London and Hertfordshire in life-saving care and treatment.”

More recently, Lizzie’s journey has led her to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), “I am also incredibly proud to work with such an outstanding team of mental health nurses and professionals to build true parity between physical and mental health for young people and their families.”

Award-winning nursing career highlights

The Florence Nightingale Foundation was a defining moment in Lizzie’s journey. She was the first national scholar to be awarded the Michael Clift Leadership Scholarship, focusing on improving the care of vulnerable children and young people presenting to emergency departments in emotional distress or mental health crisis. “From lived experience growing up, this was close to my heart. The scholarship gave me many scary but wonderful opportunities, including presenting at the House of Lords to senior NHS leaders, the Health Secretary, and the NHS Chief Executive.”

In 2021, Lizzie was awarded with an MBE for services to nursing and mental health, recognising her commitment to improving care for children and young people.

In 2023, Lizzie was awarded an Honorary Master of Science by the University of Hertfordshire. Lizzie says, “I have had the most incredible role models and national leaders who have supported my nursing career, personal development, and leadership. As a junior nurse, I was incredibly lucky to shadow Dame Ruth May, former Chief Nursing Officer for England. My time with Ruth inspired me to branch into community nursing as a Children’s Matron. I realised then how transferable my skills were and how much I loved the variety and challenge community nursing brought to both my personal and professional life.”

“My MBE is attributed to the amazing people and teams I have worked alongside, the doctors, nurses, healthcare support workers, hospital administrators, liaison services, and of course, my family.”

Yet, Lizzie insists that nothing brings her more joy than being on the ‘shop floor’, working directly with patients and families during some of the happiest, hardest, and most frightening moments of their lives - “whether it’s making a cup of tea for a worried parent, blowing bubbles for a nervous child, administering antibiotics while reassuring a family, or mentoring a student nurse through their first patient encounter, these are the moments that keep me grounded in what truly matters.”