Case studies

"Going home and knowing you have been able to make a difference no matter how small makes me proud."

Whilst a student I did a placement on both the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and Ward 23 - the Children's Heart Unit - and very quickly realised I had a passion for paediatric cardiology.

I felt so lucky to secure a job on Ward 23 as a newly qualified staff nurse in 2006. 

How did you get into your specialist field?

Whilst working on the ward my link nurse role was in ventricular assisted devices - also known as VADs - which I was really interested in. 

I could see how the service had developed over time and it was witnessing this development, along with the exciting changes and advances in technology in the field of paediatric mechanical support, which increased my passion towards VAD.  

In 2018 there was an exciting opportunity for a seconded post into the role of paediatric VAD nurse specialist, I was lucky enough to secure this as a permanent post in 2020. 

What do you love about your job?

I love working with such a great team. We get to work with the most inspirational children and their families - we see them at their sickest and get to watch them grow and develop, by giving the parents the autonomy they need for independence within the hospital.

We can increase quality of life of those children and families whilst they face long waits in hospital for transplant. 

Being a part of this and seeing the progress made by children and their families provides the best feeling of job satisfaction.

Going home and knowing you have been able to make a difference no matter how small makes me proud.

What are your working hours?

I work Monday to Friday.

What do you look forward to most in your role?

I look forward and am excited to see what the future holds for children who require mechanical circulatory support.