Q: Tell us a little about your career so far?
A: After qualifying, I spent 18 months on a general children’s surgery ward. However, my favourite placement as a student had been on a cancer ward, so I then came to Lion ward at GOSH and have been here ever since. I’ve been incredibly lucky to have had many roles, from working on the ward, being a clinical nurse specialist, covering as ward sister for a short time, and also working in education between the Trust and a university. For the last six years I’ve worked in the research team as a clinical research nurse, and currently I’m also working as part of the North Thames Children and Young People’s Cancer Operational Delivery Network.
Q: Tell us about your role in supporting young people with cancer and their families?
A: In my research role, I work as part of a wider research and innovation division within the hospital, but our team’s focus is on clinical trials within cancer. At GOSH, our cancer service offers clinical trials across all phases and for various timepoints of a patient’s disease. The research nursing team mostly works with patients eligible for an early phase trial (although we help out with elements of most trials).
We take patients from across the UK, so there can be a lot of coordination to support them coming to London to meet the team. When we meet the patient and their family, we’re responsible for helping them understand the trial being offered, which can mean follow-up calls, or sometimes follow-up visits, to ensure they have the chance to ask all their questions. As a nurse, alongside ensuring they know how the treatment will be given, I want to ensure they know how often they need to come to us for a visit, and what investigations are required. Early phase trials are usually a bit stricter than standard care in terms of having visits at exact timepoints, so it’s important the families have all the information to empower them to make an informed decision that’s right for them and their situation.
When we meet the patient and their family, we’re responsible for helping them understand the trial being offered, which can mean follow-up calls, or sometimes follow-up visits, to ensure they have the chance to ask all their questions.
If the patient and family consent to the trial, we care for them from the time of consent, through treatment and into follow-up which includes delivering therapies, organising visits, taking samples such as blood or urine, and providing advice and support to them and their local care teams.
Research nurses are also involved in reviewing trials being set up, and we must ensure we can deliver what the trial requires – this might be planning how we can carry out the tests at the right times, or it might be ensuring there are policies in place to cover any new procedures. As a research nurse we also support the wider team with data collection and queries that may come through from the trial sponsors.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
A: Some of the trials we offer allow patients to take medications at home, spend less time in hospital, and not experience some of the more common chemo side effects, which is hugely rewarding. I really value being part of a team which can offer innovative research studies across the spectrum.
My job also challenges me on a regular basis. There’s always something to learn, or new situations to navigate. I feel very fortunate to do a job I enjoy, and that I hope makes a difference.
Q: Do you have any advice for families?
A: Have a notepad or your phone by your bed so you can write down any questions that pop up at night. Also, I think the most important thing to remember is there’s no right or wrong way deal with things, so don’t be afraid to share your emotions and feelings.
From Contact magazine issue 105 | Winter 2024
