International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. Here in FutureNeuro we have a number of nurses who are part of the centre. FutureNeuro is proud to support International Nurses Day and the tireless work they continue to do. This was a year like no other and we want to say thank you.
We decided to Claire Behan, Sarah-Jane Byrne and Amy Stone about their nursing career and what they love about the job.
‘The innate desire to ultimately heal, to provide physical and emotional comfort to the sick, led me to pursue a career in nursing.’
Claire Behan, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Epilepsy & PhD candidate TCD
What made you become a nurse?
My interest in healthcare started at the early age of 11. A visit to our school from the local St. John’s Ambulance division sparked an interest. The following week I was enrolled as a recruit. The innate desire to ultimately heal, to provide physical and emotional comfort to the sick, led me to pursue a career in nursing.
I spent the first ten years in intensive care and was always struck by the skill level of nursing. The pace and breadth of knowledge in the ICU environment was so inspiring. I have been privileged to be mentored by the most incredible nurses. I have often stood in awe of the contribution they have made to the healthcare team.
My current role as an advanced nurse practitioner in epilepsy is very different to the days in ICU. Relationships with patients now last years rather than days or months. And the reward is immense. The challenges, losses and celebrations I have experienced with my patients has given me more than I feel I have ever given them. I care deeply about them. More recently, I started a PhD and once again, I am learning a whole new set of skills.
What do you love the most about it?
I love the diversity of the nursing profession. I love the cleft between the human and science it bridges. It’s not these easiest jobs, which is certainly fair to say, but the interactions are real and tangible. My job matters to me, and that adds meaning and purpose to my life. No matter what the job promotion or academic achievements, I am a nurse, and I am proud.
‘I find it is a privilege to care for people not only on their road to recovery, but also in their final moments of their life.’
Sarah-Jane Byrne- FutureNeuro Research Nurse
What made you become a nurse?
I was 17 and I was with my Mam visiting my Sister on the prenatal ward in The Rotunda Hospital when she was in to have my nephew Killian. The midwife was very chatty to me and let me listen to Killians heartbeat with a wooden Pinard Stethoscope, I thought, maybe nursing could be for me! I have since had a 7 year career in Neurology and Stroke and I have loved it, so thanks Killian!
What do you love the most about it?
It will be hard to narrow it down!
- I love the friendships that I have made through nursing, spending long hours with colleagues, they become extended family members! Nursing friendships are very different and very special.
- I find it is a privilege to care for people not only on their road to recovery, but also in their final moments of their life.
- I am the type of person who thrives on being challenged in fast paced work environment. Nursing suits me as few other careers offer as much diversity and learning opportunities!
‘Research nursing allows me to improve the lives of not only my own patients receiving innovative treatments, but that of the wider, sometimes even global community. Seeing a novel treatment or medication change patients’ lives for the better is the most rewarding aspect of my job.’
Amy Stone- FutureNeuro Research Nurse and Project Manager HRB Clinical Research Facility – Cork
What made you become a nurse?
Ever since I first got my hands on my parents’ first aid kit as a child, pulling it apart and playing with the bandages, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. My love of science as a teenager only reinforced this. Nursing is both a challenging and rewarding profession that allows me to really make a difference in the lives of my patients. A career in Nursing offers diverse professional pathways such a clinical nursing, research, and education to name a few.
What do you love the most about it?
For me, as a Research Nurse, I act as the patient interface for clinical trials and observational research studies. Being involved in clinical research enables my patients to access pioneering treatments that may otherwise be unavailable to them. Research nursing allows me to improve the lives of not only my own patients receiving innovative treatments, but that of the wider, sometimes even global community. Seeing a novel treatment or medication change patients’ lives for the better is the most rewarding aspect of my job.
