Lea Goodwin is a Staff Nurse in the Outpatients Department at SWAH

Lea shares her thoughts on her role, the challenges she has faced in her profession, what it means to work at SWAH and what she finds most rewarding in her work.

What motivated you to pursue a career at South West Acute Hospital?

The South West Acute Hospital is the only hospital near where I live, as we are situated in a rural area.

Also, I’m from a family of nurses so it was a natural progression to continue the family trade.

Could you share a significant challenge you’ve faced in your role and how you overcame it to provide quality healthcare services?

Coming from an ethnic minority background I am always apprehensive about being accepted by the community I work in.

In the past I have received racial comments from the people I’ve cared for, but thankfully I work for a Trust that has zero tolerance for such behaviours.

I overcame such treatment by being myself and knowing I have the knowledge and skills for my role as a nurse and I am proud of who I am.

How do you believe your role contributes to the well-being and recovery of patients within our community?

I understand I contribute to the wellbeing of patients in the community because I’m a valued team member of Outpatients Department. I have a growth attitude. I am warm, friendly and compassionate. I have passion for caring for patients in their local hospital.

Can you highlight a particular patient interaction or medical achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why?

I am proud of achieving a qualification in Cervical Screening and Female Organ Prolapse Management.

The reason why is because having such skills enables me to deliver a high standard of care to the women in our community. I ensure each woman receives the care and compassion they deserve. My patients often comment on how thankful they are to have a warm and friendly welcome when they visit the clinics.

How do you ensure the delivery of compassionate and effective care in your specific healthcare discipline?

Firstly, this is done by completing all mandatory training and providing the best evidence-based practice. Keeping your skills and knowledge updated, and most important is to listen to your patient.

What aspect of your work do you find most rewarding, and how does it resonate with your personal values and mission?

I genuinely love working with people. I enjoy chatting. In particular, working within women’s health. It gives me great joy to gain the trust of women during intimate procedures. Here I am able to comfort them and be their advocate.

Caring and standing up for people has always been part of who I am and it is my mission to remove the stigma and encourage women to take charge of their health.

How do you manage the demands of your job, and what strategies do you employ to ensure exceptional healthcare service delivery?

I manage the demands of my job by going swimming two to three times a week, using my corporate health club membership discount. I find peace and see things clearly when I am in the water. The main strategies are to look after and maintain your mental and physical health, because you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Fill your cup. Self-care is not selfish.

Have there been any mentors or colleagues who have significantly influenced your practice, and in what way?

Yes. I was assigned Staff Nurse Maureen Flanagan as a mentor when I started in July 2014. She made sure I knew every last detail in the book about clinics and then some, even if it meant staying until 7pm.

Maureen has taught me to be proud of being a nurse, the skills I possess and to work hard.

I still call her my mentor and will do forever as she’s the best cheerleader anyone can have.

Finally, she’s an amazing friend and an outstanding nurse.

What are your aspirations for the future, and how do you envision the evolution of your role within South West Acute Hospital?

My aspiration is to specialise in Gynaecology Nursing and to become a nurse Colposcopist within the Western Trust. I envision being part of a Gynaecology department which acts as a one stop shop for support of women’s health care needs. Most importantly seeing more specialised nurse led clinics being offered.

How do you believe your efforts contribute to the overall excellence and advancement of healthcare services in our local community?

I believe I have a passion and growth attitude as I am constantly seeking out learning opportunities through continuing professional development, in order to up-skill and contribute in more health services within patients’ local areas.