Meet Sarah, one of our experienced Clinical Nurse Specialists
At Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), exceptional care is delivered through the dedication of a diverse team of specialists across many fields. As part of our International Nurses Day celebrations this month, we’re shining a spotlight on the vital role that Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) play in supporting patients and their families throughout treatment and recovery.
A Clinical Nurse Specialist is an experienced nurse who offers expert advice on patients’ conditions and treatments. They play a key role in coordinating care and act as the main point of contact between patients and their multidisciplinary treatment teams.
In this interview, we speak with Sarah, one of our dedicated CNSs', to gain insight into the compassionate and expert care she provides every day.
Meet Sarah
Sarah has been working at GOSH’s International and Private Care for over 10 years. She became a Haematology/Oncology CNS in the last two years and also finished her Master's degree in Nursing as well. We spoke to her about the role of nurses and clinical nurse specialists, working at GOSH and the experience of working with families from around the world.
How does your role differ from that of a traditional nurse, and what specialized skills do you bring to patient care?
CNSs possess specialized knowledge and skills within their area. They can offer advice about specific conditions or treatment pathways. They provide expert care and also support the nursing team. They provide leadership, education and partake in research.
Families come to I&PC from multiple regions in the world, is there a specific heartwarming occasion involving a patient or family that has stayed with you? How do you describe the multicultural experiences?
I have worked within International and Private Care (I&PC) for 10 years now and it’s a great place to work. I love building relationships with the families who come from all over the world. I get the opportunity to learn about different cultures, religions and backgrounds. And to help facilitate communication with families and to make their time at the hospital a little less dauting, I have undertaken some basic Arabic classes.
What do you find most rewarding about working as an advanced nurse practitioner?
The patients and families that come to GOSH are going through a very challenging time. They are caring for their sick child, dealing with a challenging diagnoses and are away from their home, families and support networks. Being able to support the families through this time makes my job rewarding.
How do you work with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and specialists at GOSH, to ensure a holistic approach to patient care?
The patient journey requires input from a broad range of specialties and together we work to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our patients. A multi-disciplinary approach, enshrined via our multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), is key to achieving the best outcomes.
How does working at GOSH enhance your professional journey together with your colleagues and what would you like the readers to know about where this role leads?
Woking at GOSH means I get the opportunity to work alongside some of the best consultants who are renowned worldwide for their expertise. I learn so much working alongside them, including other members of the MDT. I hope my CNS role will give me the knowledge and skills required to become an Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) in the future.
On the International Nurses Day, what takeaways would you like others from outside the field to come away with?
Patients and their families go through one of the most challenging times of their lives when they are at the hospital. Being a nurse means being passionate about supporting these patients and their families. And the nursing profession, therefore, is a great career choice for those with passion, patience, compassion and empathy as they are building blocks to forming positive relationships.
What is it like to work at GOSH as a Clinical Nurse Specialist?
Being a CNS means being a key worker throughout the journey for our patients. It is a role akin to the glue that holds all the pieces together. And I am very privileged to be one of the nurses in this role at GOSH, a trust I love working at!
