Reflections of a nurse: Roisin Devlin

What does being a nurse mean to you at this stage in your career?

It has been almost 35 years since I first started my training as a nurse so at this stage of my career being a nurse is simply who I am. As I have grown as a person, I think I have grown as a nurse – life experiences changes how I have managed people and situations and I think those experiences have made me a better person and nurse. I have been so lucky in my career, have had some fantastic opportunities and worked with brilliant people so when I reflect back I feel very grateful for such a fulfilling career

Can you share a moment in your leadership role that made you feel particularly proud?

I think my proudest time was when I managed unscheduled care, including emergency departments, during the early days of Covid-19. It was such an uncertain time for staff and the fear was palpable. Despite this staff turned up every day to deliver safe, compassionate care. Many staff made huge personal sacrifices to keep patients safe and went above and beyond what was asked of them. Across the system there was a unity that I had never seen before and it really felt that nurses said to the community ‘we’ve got this’. There was such a level of kindness from the public and a feeling that everyone was looking after each other. Unfortunately I think some of this kindness has slipped away and I would love to see us come back to it.

How do the professional standards you work to shape the care and culture within your team or organisation?

As someone in a leadership role I think you cannot underestimate the impact, positive or negative, you make shaping the care and culture in your team and organisation. Promoting professionalism is so important to me and I think setting a standard is essential. I strive to be a compassionate leader who is firm but fair and never forgets that we are dealing with human beings. Holding people to account can be done in a compassionate way. A senior nurse that I see as a great role model once said to me ‘if you do the right thing, not necessarily the easy thing, then you can sleep in your bed at night’ and I try to live by this mantra.

What message would you share with nurses at different stages of their careers this International Nurses Day?

Nursing is a fantastic career. There is no doubt it can be a busy, stressful job at times but always go back to why you wanted to be a nurse. Find what gives you fire in your belly and pursue it. Take pride in your title and remember people will feel the impact you made on them long after you have forgotten about them.

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