Why did you choose to go into nursing?
I didn’t always want to be a nurse. In my late teens I thought I wanted to work in fashion, or maybe be a clinical psychologist. But two people really influenced my life that led me to make the decision to go into nursing. One was my older sister who was a nurse and used to tell me lots of stories about nursing, and the second was a good friend who I met when I moved from Brazil over 25 years ago who was a professor of nursing. He really encouraged me to go to university and study nursing. He has been very influential throughout my entire career.
One of my last university placements was at Royal Brompton on Foulis Ward which I really enjoyed, especially the approach to holistic care the team provides, and how this improves the experience of care for our patients. So, when I completed my training I joined Royal Brompton in 2002 as a staff nurse, I then became a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and then lead CNS in 2016.
Describe your role day to day
The role is so varied. As one of the leading adult cystic fibrosis (CF) centres in the country, we look after nearly 700 adults with cystic fibrosis. We have been looking after many of our patients for decades. And this can involve anything from advising patients who contact us daily about various health issues to supporting patients in clinics and on the ward.
Each clinical nurse specialist specialises in a different area of patient care. I specialise in looking after patients who also have diabetes (about a third of our cohort). I run a virtual clinic every Wednesday, along with other colleagues, including a CF consultant and a dietitian, and together we help patients manage their conditions.
Being a specialised centre allows us to run clinics that help serve the different needs of our patients. For example, one of my colleagues runs a clinic for patients who are transitioning from paediatric to adult care. That’s just one example, I’m blessed with an excellent team!
Another big part of my job is service development and looking for opportunities to improve the services we provide.
What do you like most about your job?
Working with people and the relationships that we’ve built with our patients. I’ve known some of our patients for a very long time. You get to know people really well and I love all the different personalities.
Some years ago, we used to do many home visits and I really got to know our patients and their families – their children, their dog! And I have loved working at the Brompton. It has been amazing to see the transformation in care for CF over the past twenty years - both in the ways we work and in the treatments that are now available.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
I have very much enjoyed representing Royal Brompton as part of the committee for the CF Nursing Association. It was great to work with the CF nursing community across the country to see how we can all learn from each other. And of course, there are lots of memorable stories from our patients, that always bring a smile to my face.
What would you say to anyone thinking of going into nursing?
It is so rewarding, but it can be challenging. Nursing offers so many opportunities. Working with CF patients, you learn a lot as the entire body is affected and as we have a large cohort, we get to see things other CF Centres don’t get exposed to. And you are really involved with a multi-disciplinary team, which enables you to learn so much from different healthcare professionals. I love it.