Ann Teemal

Career Overview

Ann joined the University of Suffolk as a Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing in August 2021, bringing decades of extensive clinical and managerial experience to her academic role. She began her nursing training in 1988 in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, where she qualified as a mental health nurse.

In 1997, Ann was recruited to the UK to work in a medium-secure mental health hospital in the Independent Sector. During her time there, she served as a Clinical Nurse Manager, overseeing various specialist areas, including Personality Disorders, Sex Offenders, and Rehabilitation services. While in this role, she completed the ENB 998 Teaching and Assessing in Clinical Practice course, which enabled her to mentor and support students in clinical settings. She also earned a Certificate in Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, further enhancing her leadership and educational expertise.

In 2010, Ann worked as a Clinical Nurse Manager in a low-secure hospital specialising in learning disabilities. Her career also includes valuable experience within the NHS, managing a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a Female Acute Inpatient Unit, and working in the community as a Care Coordinator.

Ann's passion for patient-centered care led her to develop a keen interest in trauma therapy. To better support individuals with enduring and complex mental health challenges, she pursued training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), equipping her with advanced therapeutic skills.

With her diverse background and commitment to improving mental health outcomes, Ann continues to inspire and educate future generations of mental health nurses.

Teaching and Other Responsibilities

Ann is a Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing within the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health. She has experience in a broad range of subjects that includes leading and teaching several modules within the pre-registration nursing programs both on BSc and Apprenticeship program. Her teaching portfolio spans a wide range of topics, including creative interventions, medication management, professional values, leading and managing care in professional contexts, core psychological approaches and service user-led assessment and care planning.

Ann has gained extensive experience in interprofessional learning, module development, and delivery across diverse health and social care disciplines, including adult, paramedicine, and radiography. Through successful completion of the Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PgCAP) she has gained knowledge in course management, curriculum development, and collaborative working , all focused on enhancing the student learning experience.

In addition to her academic responsibilities, Ann serves as the Link Lecturer for the Mental Health Nursing course at Rushmore Business School in Mauritius, fostering international collaboration and supporting global learning initiatives.

Research Interests

Working with global majority groups

Self-harm, and how this is managed within Mental Health services.

Suicide and the effects on the caregivers

Trauma-informed care and practices

Qualifications

Ann has completed the following qualifications:

PgCAP-Post Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice 2022

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy 2021

PG Dip Management Studies 2010

Cert.Ed. Post Compulsory Education and Training 2002

ENB 998 Teaching and Assessing in Clinical Practice 2002

Conferences

Ann has presented at several conferences the most recent being:

Teemal A (2024) ‘Knowledge Exchange & Research Conference’ How I accidently became a co-author-yes, really!’  9th November 2024, University of Suffolk.

Publications

Rowell-Burton, D., Teemal, A., and Piper, C. (2025) 'Reflection and clinical supervision for the new supervisee', in Clifton, A., Hemingway, S., and Felton, A. (eds.) Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. 2nd edn. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chapter 34.

Professional Bodies

Registered Mental Health Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), active since 1997.

Royal College of Nursing 1997

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 2022

Mental Health Nurse Academic UK