Careers

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Noreen Jordan is part of a multidisciplinary team that provides ophthalmic care to children. Jenny Knight reports

Paediatric sister Noreen Jordan, who works at the Richard Desmond Children’s Eye Centre, part of Moorfields Eye Hospital, came over from Ireland to attend a course at the centre and is still there 18 years later. ‘The course lasted six months,’ explains Ms Jordan. ‘I then took up a vacancy on the children’s ward and in 2010 I applied for the post of paediatric sister. ‘I see myself as an advocate, speaking for children and their families. I support staff and I am also learning and disability champion for paediatrics.’ Ms Jordan is studying for a degree in nursing studies and has also qualified as a trainer on child protection issues. ‘That is an integral part of my role because nurses have responsibilities for safeguarding,’ she says. ‘Moorfields is very supportive in developing staff. Juggling my academic work with my role is challenging, but I have a skilled team that I can safely delegate to.’ The centre caters for children with common eye conditions such as squints, as well as rarer conditions such as anophthalmia

NATHAN CLARKE

FOCUS ON CHILD HEALTH Course resource

Paediatric sister Noreen Jordan says safeguarding is an integral part of her role

(absence of the eye), where cosmetic help is offered. She thinks that in future her career may move more explicitly into child protection. She says: ‘I am passionate about safeguarding. I already have many issues with patients missing appointments. Anyone can miss one appointment, but when it is persistent, I might have to talk to the child protection team’ NS Jenny Knight is a freelance journalist

What my working life is like: paediatric sister Noreen Jordan My working day ‘I ensure that all ward areas are safely covered and that the staff skill mix is appropriate. Then I deal with emails and staff queries. After that, I might chair a team meeting or represent the paediatric services at a trust meeting.’ My working space ‘The Richard Desmond Centre is the largest hospital in the world for the

NURSING STANDARD

prevention and treatment of eye disease in children. The children had a big input into its design – it has bright colours and play areas. I share a bright, spacious office in a 12-bed surgical ward.’ My working colleagues ‘I am part of a multidisciplinary team, which includes clinicians, the family support team, and play specialists who have a big role supporting children.’

Postgraduate certificate in clinical ophthalmic practice Run by Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University College London. Intended for Nurses and allied health professionals working in ophthalmic practice. Course objective To bridge the gap between theory and practice, to enhance knowledge of practice and research, and to develop practical skills relevant to individuals’ clinical area. What you learn Anatomy and physiology; ophthalmic pathology, research and statistics; and work-based clinical skills. Course structure Can be studied full time (one year) or part time (two years). The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, discussion forums and online learning supported by personal tutors. Assessment is formative and summative via coursework, workbooks, online multiple choice questions, short answer papers and a final viva examination. Cost £3,050 full time, £1,500 part time Closing date for applications August 1 Course start date September Contact [email protected] Applications www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/degrees/ taught/tcpophspra01 may 21 :: vol 28 no 38 :: 2014 63

Nursing Standard 2014.28:63-63. Downloaded from journals.rcni.com by Univ of Pennsylvania on 11/28/15. For personal use only.

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