Clare Denny, outpatients sister

Why did you choose to go into nursing? 

There was a photo of me at my grandparents’ house, taken when I was about four years old, dressed in a nurse’s uniform. It was from a dress-up event where we had to choose an outfit to represent what we wanted to be when we grew up. I don’t remember the picture being taken, but it hanging on the wall must have stayed with me through my younger years.  My actual journey into nursing wasn’t linear. When I left school, I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do, and I tried a few different jobs. It wasn’t until a few years later I found the confidence to train to be a nurse. And here I am, 20 years later, a senior nurse in Harefield’s outpatients department!

Describe your role day to day

I am responsible for the teams in Harefield outpatient’s and Woodlands department, making sure our patients get the highest level of care. There are both clinical and non-clinical elements to what I do. 

As a specialist heart and lung hospital, we see patients with all sorts of complex conditions. The role is varied and includes looking after patients pre- and post-operation, and ensuring the department meets quality and safety standards. 

I'm also a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian. Any member of staff can come to me if they have concerns about patient safety or anything that affects their working life, and I will offer confidential advice and support. This role is important to me because staff need to be heard, whether they have the confidence to speak up or not. If they’re frightened or unsure, if it's appropriate, I can be their voice if they need me to.

What do you like most about your job?

I like looking after a team and being their champion, whether that’s boosting morale or celebrating achievements. Over the eight years I have been a sister in the department, I have developed as a coach, and I love it when colleagues come to me with projects or ideas that I can help them with. Staff here want to make a difference, and I am glad to support them to do that. 

When it comes to caring for patients, one of the best bits of my job is using my knowledge and empathy to help someone who is really nervous and scared, to feel a little bit better. I've worked here a long time, I've looked after lots of patients, and I used to work on the wards, so my background helps when, for example, preoperative patients and their relatives come in and they’re frightened about what’s ahead. I will do whatever I can to empower them and help them feel more comfortable.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

There have been so many highlights. Being recognised by others is always humbling and special. I received a Nightingale award recently and was nominated by a colleague for – and won – a Cavell Star Award.

Becoming a sister was a real career achievement and starting my master’s journey too. 

And it's always lovely when patients write in about you, or give you a card at Christmas, or just give you a massive hug and say thanks for everything you've done. 

What do you wish people knew about nursing?

I think some people might not appreciate how much you ‘take home’, so to speak. Especially in the early years. I used to wake up in the middle of the night and think, oh my goodness, did I sign for that potassium? Did I give that magnesium? And of course, I did, I always knew I did. Nurses make so many crucial decisions every day, it’s normal to feel anxious, and it takes time to gain the confidence to manage that. On the plus side, you feel extremely proud to be a nurse, and there's a lot of respect for nurses.

What would you say to anyone thinking of going into nursing? 

From my experience, you need to gather a lot of resilience as a nurse, which helps with confidence-building and decision-making. It’s not always easy but looking after people is so rewarding. I always imagine my patients being a family member and I also imagine there’s a camera on my shoulder. These help me to stay empathetic and practice safely. 

And get used to listening to people telling you about their ailments! (Or else keep quiet that you’re a nurse!)