Pippa Wilson is a paediatric staff nurse who graduated with a degree in medical biochemistry in 2005 and a postgraduate diploma in children's nursing in 2008. She currently works as both a staff nurse on a paediatric ward and part-time as a paediatric diabetes nurse specialist. Her roles involve caring for patients aged 0-16, administering medications, communicating with patients and their families, and teaching nursing students and colleagues. While her biological science degree knowledge is not directly used as a staff nurse, it has provided a helpful foundation for her work in specialties like diabetes nursing. She finds nursing fulfilling as it allows her to help vulnerable patients while continuing her education and taking on new opportunities.

1. Moving Into Nursing Pippa Wilson Paediatric Staff Nurse

2. Moving into Nursing Career so far Route to Nursing Why Nursing Opportunities

3. My History Graduated 2005 with a 2.1 in Medical Biochemistry Worked part time whilst at University as a health care support worker at LRI Graduated 2008 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Children’s Nursing Employed 2008 as a staff nurse on a paediatric general medical ward Seconded as a part time paediatric diabetes nurse specialist

4. http://www.opal-foundation.com/manchester-childrens-hospital/

5. RMCH Staff Nurse Patient Care Caring for patients aged 0-16 Assess, plan, implement and evaluate care given to patients Being able to spot a poorly kid! Checking patient vital signs as frequently as their condition dictates Understand background to conditions, diagnosis and treatment Able to assess a child’s developmental stage and care for them appropriately Friendly face to children Advocate for them and their families Medicine administration and calculation

6. RMCH Staff Nurse Responsibilities Build a relationship of trust with parents and children at a traumatic time In charge on a shift Team work Work within a team of healthcare professionals Communication is key Teaching nursing colleagues and students

7. Normal day http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/98542335/Taxi

8. Diabetes Nurse Specialist Supporting both newly diagnosed and established diabetics and their families Inpatient, outpatient and community Caring for children on a variety of insulin regimes (basal bolus, pump and fixed dose) Teaching Medical Biochemistry gave me a head start in my knowledge

9. Future? Continue as Diabetes Nurse Specialist Diploma in Tropical Nursing Overseas Lecturing and further training Research

10. Route to Nursing 2 year postgraduate Diploma 3 year degree BNurs Qualified staff nurse

11. 2 Year Diploma Entrance requirements 2.2 in health/science degree Choice of branch: adult, child, mental health Taught and on the job training (variety of placements) Possibly won’t be the most academically taxing Modules: biomedical basis for health and illness, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and microbiology, psychosocial approaches to the experience of health and illness, human development across the lifespan, sociological aspects of health and illness and epidemiology and public health. pathology, pharmacology and medication management, psychology and behaviour change, nursing assessment, management and leadership, research and evidence based practice. dissertation focuses on the in-depth application of nursing and health related research to practice

12. Why Nursing? Personal Specification Compassionate Team player People person Excellent communication skills Confident Leadership skills Motivated continued learning and development

13. Why Nursing? Practicalities: Likely to be shift work to begin with Pay (progressive) £21, 176 starting salary You are unlikely struggle for a job NHS

14. Why Nursing? The whole truth: Colleagues may not have A-levels Not glamorous at times You will be working with people at their most vulnerable Great opportunity to work your way up If you fit the personal specification you will be fulfilled as a nurse So many opportunities as a nurse

15. Opportunities Vast Initial hard graft Ticket to ride Recommend looking at jobs advertised http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

16. Is it for you? Not a job you can do if your heart isn’t in it Willing to start from the bottom Motivated to be an excellent nurse May not use your Biological Sciences knowledge until you are in a more specialised role Do some work experience shadowing/HCSW

17. Will I use my Biological Science Knowledge? Interpreting blood gases Head start in many specialities