Wolverhampton Bladder Cancer Support Group

Jenny's story

Jenny Akins - Urology Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Jenny Akins qualified as a registered nurse in 1999 with her first post working on the urology ward. In 2001 she was appointment as senior staff nurse and assisted with development of the urology Hospital at Home team. She worked on rotation on the ward and urology Hospital at Home team for a further 2 years. She then began working with the urology Advanced Nurse Practitioner in 2003 initially in a secondment post, soon after she was made a permanent member of the team. Since then she has continued to develop her skills, knowledge and education studying at both degree and masters level. Since qualifying Jenny has always had a special interest in bladder cancer and was eager to improve the support and care offered to this group of patient. She trained as a stoma nurse in 2004 to ensure patients requiring cystectomy surgery were offered continuity of care and ongoing support. In 2009 she commenced extensive training with the urology consultants to develop as a nurse cystoscopist. It was always her ambition to set up a support group for patients with bladder cancer to offer support for everyone affected by bladder cancer and raise its profile. Jenny was delighted that in 2012 the group was finally set up and has been a huge success since.

Jenny interests include listening to live music, shopping and travelling. She had her first baby in August 2014 and will be back helping us in mid 2015.