I liked the clear presentation of material, and the opportunity for discussion. The trainer clearly had a lot of experience and was very approachable it helped me to form practical ideas of what to look for - brilliant!

- Teacher - Joseph - Priestley College

About

Epilepsy Active was created in 2006 by Julie Keirnan and experienced epilepsy nurse, Julie aims to provide professional, accessible and research based epilepsy training to a diverse range of organisations.

Prior to setting up Epilepsy Active Training Julie worked as an epilepsy nurse and experienced trainer for the National Society for Epilepsy for nine years (Now Epilepsy Society). Julie gained extensive professional epilepsy experience and her roles included:

External Training Officer : National Society for Epilepsy (Epilepsy Society).
Within this role responsibilities included the development and delivery of epilepsy training programmes to meet specific organisational and regulatory needs (Joint Epilepsy Council). She developed and taught an intense Train the Trainer course as well as training programmes for Nurses in a variety of specialities, General Practitioners, PCT's, schools and carers employed by small companies as well as national care organisations and local authorities. Additionally Julie also has experience as a speaker at conferences.
Senior Staff Nurse on the Epilepsy Assessment Unit, (Now Sir William Gowers Centre).

The unit at the time was a 24-bed facility admitting individuals with severe epilepsy and challenging diagnostic and therapeutic problems for re-evaluation. Such individuals present with a range of very challenging problems medically, psychologically and socially.

Whilst a senior nurse in this environment Julie worked closely with other professionals within the multidisciplinary team. Nursing responsibilities included seizure management and recording in order to aid the classification of seizures. She had direct responsibility of leading a team of nurses, key workers and co coordinating patient care. A large part of her experience on this unit involved the organisation of medical clinics, working closely with clients and their families as well as constructing comprehensive nursing discharge plans with future recommendations.

As a registered nurse, Julie maintains her NMC registration yearly. A portfolio of ongoing education in her specialist field is maintained and includes attendance at many professional study days and conferences to the required standard. She also has close contacts with other epilepsy professionals working in the field of epilepsy and other care organisations.

Julie is a member of the Epilepsy Nurse Association (ESNA), The International League Against Epilepsy and The Royal College of Nursing.

Epilepsy Related Qualifications

  • General Nursing Level 1 (RGN)
  • Care of the Individual With Epilepsy (ENB N 45)
  • Teaching and Assessing in Clinical Practice (ENB998)
  • Certificate in Teaching Adult Learners (City&Guilds 7307 stages one and two)

Information regarding other qualifications is available upon request.