S1 Ep12: Career Choice: The Joys and Challenges of a Nursing Degree

The World Health Organisation designated 2020 as the
international year of the nurse and midwife to honour the 200th
year since Florence Nightingale’s birth. 

Sinéad Kearns, a final year student on the BSc
Nursing (General) programme here in DCU, joins presenter
Siobhán Murphy, to explain her career choice and
her journey over the last 4 years. She describes the experience
of working as an intern during the pandemic and her own personal
story of contracting the Covid 19 virus.

This episode was recorded on June 3rd
2020.

0:06 - 0:55


Introduction


Siobhán Murphy, Careers Advisor opens by explaining that today’s
episode will explore Nursing as a Career Choice and a reminder to
listeners that the World Health Organisation designated 2020 as
the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife to honour the
200th year since Florence Nightingale’s birth. Siobhán introduces
Sinéad Kearns who is currently completing her final year nursing
internship.





0:55 - 4:05


Sinéad explains how and why she pursued Nursing as a
Career


Sinéad describes how she was influenced by her mother’s coping
skills when children on the street were brought to her for First
Aid. Sinéad explains that she loved Biology in school but unlike
many others did not have a long term ambition to become a nurse.
It was when she began studying the anatomy of the face on a Make
Artistry course when she first left school that she decided to
apply for nursing.  





4:05 - 6:30


The Joys and Challenges of a Nursing Degree


Sinéad discusses her early fears on nursing placements and how
talking with classmates really helped. Mature students on the
programme also felt similar anxieties and that was reassuring
that it was normal. Imposter syndrome is discussed and the
importance of working on the balance between comfort and trying
new things





6:30 - 11:45


What is the final year internship all about?


Sinéad describes the process of the internship, the
responsibilities and how previous placements prepare you for the
challenge.  Although with a greater role, interns still have
the support of their nurse in charge and the wider team. The
biggest change is that you are an employee, have a contract and
are paid! Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team is very
interesting and it is important to have good communication and
respect for all of your co-workers.





11.45- 17:30


Health is not just absence of illness


Sinéad explains the power of a multi-disciplinary team to
maximise patients' health and their ability to thrive at home.
Respect and dignity of the patient is discussed and how hard it
is on them to be in hospital even when it is not for critical
issues.





17:30 - 20:30


Is there college work during Internship?


Yes. There are two major pieces of work - completing a drug round
and presenting your case load.  





20:30 - 26:15


Working as an Intern during a Pandemic


Sinéad reflects back to her original understanding of the virus
and how that changed as it became a reality both in Ireland and
in her hospital. There has not been time yet to reflect fully on
working during this time as she is too busy and focussed on the
job in hand. It will take time.





26:15 - 37:30


Sinéad’s personal story of contracting Covid 19


Sinéad explains her initial symptoms, going to the test centre
and sharing the news with her family. The family had to work
closely together to ensure that she was looked after but also
prevent anyone else getting it. No other member of her family
contracted the virus. To explain how easy for this virus to
spread she suggested to think of it like glitter and how that
gets everywhere!





37:30 - 41:15


What is the future of nursing?


Sinéad explains that respect for the profession has grown and
that she hopes this will continue. For Sinéad, her eye is on the
prize of successfully completing her programme this September and
working on building up and rounding out her experience. There are
so many specialisations available in nursing and in time she will
consider a postgraduate course, but first wants to get additional
experience.





41:15- 44:04


Sinéad shares her top tips


Sinéad encourages those who want to pursue nursing to try it. It
will be hard at times. You will have fears and anxieties but
these can be overcome through experience and support of friends.
It is about whether the struggles are worth it for you.