Susie W, Natural Healthcare College Student and NNA Student Representative
Published to Testimonials on Jan 28, 2023
As student rep for the NNA I offered to write about our mentoring programme so that other students and recent graduates can get an idea of what is involved.
The programme starts every year in January. We have an hour once a month covering topics from the legalities of setting up in practice and marketing to functional testing and jobs.
From the first session I loved that it was small, welcoming and relaxed. Cora (Cora Weekes M.Sc. ND DipCNM mBANT mNNA mGNC CNHCreg) has a wealth of experience and she fostered an environment where everyone could easily chip in and ask questions. Questions ranged from ‘what's the difference between the NNA and BANT?' (NNA has a more naturopathic focus but both are there to support their members) to 'are consultations post covid more face to face or on line?’
The group is small (eight of us including Cora) and ranging from second year students to some who are recently qualified. Over the course of the 10 sessions I’m sure we’ll get to know each other and provide mutual support as we enter the exciting prospect of life as nutritional therapists.
So, whilst it can seem quite daunting thinking where to start as a nutritional therapist, I realised that I’m not alone and there is a wealth of information and expertise out there to help us on that journey. I didn’t think we could cover much in an hour but amongst other things, I came away with some business plan templates, networks to sign up to and an understanding of what to do with the Information Commissioners Office.
P.S. The NNA Committee is always keen to hear any suggestions of what more we could do for our members. Please email any ideas to info@nna-uk.com.
Mentoring at the NNA
Our successful mentoring scheme, with monthly Skype calls helps recent graduates and final year nutritional therapy students to set up in practice, build up confidence and hone their clinical skills.