Caroline Kosutic

Job Role

I work as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner in the Children Emergency Department of Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

Nursing Training

I completed my Registered General Nurse (RGN) training in 1984 followed by my Post-Registration Sick Children’s (RSCN) Nursing in 1988. As a RSCN post-registration student in 1988 the Children’s Emergency Department was my last placement and for me my most enjoyable. I was fortunate to be able to stay on as a registered RSCN and I have been here since – twenty seven years and counting! In some ways I suppose rather than choosing to work in the Emergency Department, the Emergency Department chose me!

Post Registered Education – relevant to post

To support me in my current post I have undertaken a number of post-registration educational programmes specific to Emergency Nursing including:

•    Emergency Nurse Practitioner Minor Injuries Course,
•    Asthma Management
•    Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS).

I love the variety, the unpredictability -no 2 days are the same- the camaraderie, the great team spirit and remembering that every day you learn something new.

So……you “think” you want to work in the Paediatric Emergency Department?   .......take a peek…..!!!

Essential

• Good sense of Humour
• No thin skin!
• Knowledge of current kids TV film characters 
• Enthusiasm
• Good Team Player
• Ability to "think on your feet"

Desirable

• The weirder the better.
• Ability to develop thick skin (fast)!
• Willingness to sing (in or out of tune) - Songs of said characters i.e., Peppa Pig, Frozen, Wheels on the bus.
• Ability to demonstrate same after 3 or 4 12 hour shift in a row.
• Even better team player at after work social events.
• Ability to think while crouched down on “hunkers” at toddler level.

Plus

• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Calm Nature
• Level – headed
• Non – judgemental
• Empathy
• And last but not least “A large bladder capacity” (with room for expansion)