What area of nursing or midwifery are you in?
I work in emergency nursing, in a major trauma centre, pre-hospital care with an Air Ambulance Service as well as an academic as Professor of Emergency Care.
Why did you choose this specialty?
When I first qualified I really didn't like nursing! I started in A&E as the last placement on a rotation - from day one in A&E I knew it was for me. Every day was different, things changed rapidly and four hours was considered a long-term relationship with a patient. Basically I need frequent new challenges.
What motivates you in your job?
Umm that is tricky. I have multiple roles which make up my job. Clinically, I still feel it is a privilege to treat patients and relate to their loved ones at times of real crisis in their lives. In the Emergency Department and with the Air Ambulance these can be life-changing and sometimes life-ending events. In my other roles I am involved in developing and supporting others or developing ideas for research, which make a difference to care in the medium to long-term, so it is both the immediate and the long-term effects that motivate me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
That's easy - I don't have a typical day! Some days are clinical, some are spent doing research or research supervision, some are spent developing services and chairing demanding meetings, some days include all of those things. Each day always involves good coffee - a skinny flat white if you are offering!
What are the particular challenges of your job?
Staying focused on the bigger picture - keeping the multiple aspects of my job in balance whilst trying to stay grounded in the reality of clinical practice and what really matters to patients. I work with a great team who keep me firmly grounded and also tell me if they think my latest idea really is just mad and will never work.
What are the particular blessings of your job?
When I am clinical it is definitely the privilege of interacting with patients and their loved ones at times of need. In my non-clinical roles it is developing people and services.
Any advice for student nurses and midwives reading this?
Nursing offers incredible opportunities - don't be afraid to try different avenues. From my experience, a portfolio of roles helps with maintaining a career in nursing.
What things can we be praying for you?
Strength for each day and a continued witness through how I live and work.
I work in emergency nursing, in a major trauma centre, pre-hospital care with an Air Ambulance Service as well as an academic as Professor of Emergency Care.
Why did you choose this specialty?
When I first qualified I really didn't like nursing! I started in A&E as the last placement on a rotation - from day one in A&E I knew it was for me. Every day was different, things changed rapidly and four hours was considered a long-term relationship with a patient. Basically I need frequent new challenges.
What motivates you in your job?
Umm that is tricky. I have multiple roles which make up my job. Clinically, I still feel it is a privilege to treat patients and relate to their loved ones at times of real crisis in their lives. In the Emergency Department and with the Air Ambulance these can be life-changing and sometimes life-ending events. In my other roles I am involved in developing and supporting others or developing ideas for research, which make a difference to care in the medium to long-term, so it is both the immediate and the long-term effects that motivate me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
That's easy - I don't have a typical day! Some days are clinical, some are spent doing research or research supervision, some are spent developing services and chairing demanding meetings, some days include all of those things. Each day always involves good coffee - a skinny flat white if you are offering!
What are the particular challenges of your job?
Staying focused on the bigger picture - keeping the multiple aspects of my job in balance whilst trying to stay grounded in the reality of clinical practice and what really matters to patients. I work with a great team who keep me firmly grounded and also tell me if they think my latest idea really is just mad and will never work.
What are the particular blessings of your job?
When I am clinical it is definitely the privilege of interacting with patients and their loved ones at times of need. In my non-clinical roles it is developing people and services.
Any advice for student nurses and midwives reading this?
Nursing offers incredible opportunities - don't be afraid to try different avenues. From my experience, a portfolio of roles helps with maintaining a career in nursing.
What things can we be praying for you?
Strength for each day and a continued witness through how I live and work.
