- Trudy Wallace
- Sister - Band 6, Altnagelvin Hospital, WHSCT
I qualified as a registered Nurse in September 2001, and commenced work as a Band 5 Staff Nurse in the Mater Hospital Emergency Department (ED) in the same year. I received a lot of support from the more senior staff there, which was very beneficial, and combined with access to specific continuous professional development (CPD) I quickly settled into Emergency Care Nursing. Some of my CPD opportunities included:
- Application of Plaster
- Application of skin glue
- Manchester Triage System
These education opportunities helped to give me a good foundation on which to build. Alongside this I joined the RCN Emergency Care Network and through this kept my knowledge up to date and informed.
I have also completed:
- Advanced Life support (ALS)
- Advanced Trauma Nursing Care (ATNC)
- Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS)
- Minor injuries stand-alone module
The successful completion of these programmes ensures I have developed the skills and knowledge to work in the Emergency Care setting, I was also given the opportunity to complete the shortened children’s programme as I had originally had an interest in paediatric nursing when I first started my Adult Nursing. The programme gave me a grounding in Paediatric Nursing now supports me to develop a special interest in caring for Children presenting to the Emergency Care setting.
In 2007 I applied for a Band 5 Staff Nurse post in the Emergency Department in Craigavon. For four years I gained invaluable experience as I rotated around the various areas within the department; the time I spent in the dedicated paediatric resuscitation area was particularly useful.
In 2011 I applied for a Band 6 post in Altnagelvin Emergency Department where I have now been for almost four and a half years. During this time I have been able to develop my management skills; when on duty I coordinate and manage the shift.
Within the past year I have had the opportunity to act-up as a Practice Educator within the ED supporting training and development for my nursing colleagues. I find that this role gives me a different perspective and I really enjoy teaching and supporting staff within the department.
