Please briefly describe your clinical/medical experience to date?
I qualified as a Paediatric nurse in 2017 and started my career in a hospital in Kent, I spent my first year learning a lot about my new job and career during my time here. I worked on the children’s ward and then moved down to their A&E where I really found my love for nursing. I revived my first promotion to Sister whilst working here after a lot of hard work and dedication.
I later moved back to Essex where I then worked in a busy PAU/A&E for the last 4 years roughly. Again I received another promotion to achieve becoming a senior sister where I took on more managerial tasks as well as my clinical tasks and direct patient care. Due to a lot of financial restraints within this trust which led to a lack of training and opportunities for development I decided to move onto a larger London hospital where I currently work now. I’m proudly a Paediatric Critical Care Outreach Nurse which has provided me with an abundance of new skills to develop and education from skilled practitioners.
What motivated you to enter paediatric care in the first place?
My motivation to become a Paediatric nurse was solely from my niece. She was born with a rare condition called Aicardi Syndrome which is a life long and limiting condition. When I was younger I didn’t really understand the differences she had, it almost was irrelevant. She was healthy, she was happy and she was well cared for incredibly well. However, she did spend a large amount of her time and still does now at the age of 20 within hospitals and hospices. Ending up in critically unwell conditions multiple times needing intensive care at St Mary’s and Great Ormond street.
From this experiences I have had along side her it gave me a passion and drive to do the job I was watching others do for her. So if it hadn’t of been for Millie and her conditions it’s highly likely I may never of had this focus and drive to become a Paediatric Nurse at all, I have her to thank for my career.
How will the funding from The Evie Dove Foundation help you to advance your career and your impact/services to children?
The funding from the foundation is so greatly received. Unfortunately as is the same widely within the NHS a lack of funding is causing a constraint to education and development. Which I think is fundamental to ensuring patient safety and ensuring our own education and skills are challenged and progressed. Therefore this funding will do just that. It will allow me to complete a course that will benefit my patients and the time they wait for prescriptions to be completed, reducing delays in treatments for them and overall experience. As well as enhance and advance my own skills and broaden my own knowledge.
How did you find out about The Evie Dove Foundation?
I was directed to the foundation by a colleague of mine, they also knew someone who was supported by the foundation to complete additional training to advance their skills also.
Tell us about yourself!
I have a wonderful family who I enjoy spending time with, I have two step children who are fantastic to be around, very caring and funny and never short on affection. We also have a little chihuahua called Honey who arguably is sometimes noisier and messier than the kids.
I enjoy travelling as much as possible to new places and more recently have become a somewhat mediocre paddle player.
Anything else you would like to tell us about your experience, future aspirations and motivations?
With the help of the foundation to complete this course it will open up more avenues for me to go down and explore in order to access more learning and progress my skills even further.
