Claire Dallas is a senior sister in the emergency department. Claire started her nursing career at Addenbrooke's in nursing auxiliary in 2003. Here she tells us more about how she came to be a nurse and her time at CUH.
What is your name and your role in our hospitals?
Claire Dallas, Senior sister in the emergency department.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I love the business of the emergency department and also that every day is different. It is very challenging at times but also rewarding.
Tell us a bit about your CUH journey.
I joined CUH in July 2003. I first applied at 19 as I was working in a factory and decided that I did not want to do that anymore, my Nan suggested I apply here and become a healthcare worker. I hadn't done it before but gave it ago and 21 years later I’m still here!
I started on the cardiology ward (D5) then help to set up the K2 ward when it was being undertaken in a cath lab outside R2.
I then decided that I wanted to become a registered nurse so I did the bridging course which lasted two years and by the end I was a qualified nurse. I then went back to ward K3 as a register nurse. I obtained my nursing degree but after 14 years there I felt I needed a change so moved to the emergency department.
Over the last six and a half years I have be lucky to have been successful as a junior sister and then a senior sister in the emergency department.
I love my job, it has its challenges at times but I still don't think I could do anything else.
What positions have you held at CUH?
I started in nursing auxiliary where my main duties were to help patients in basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and feeding. I then became a healthcare assistant before training at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to become a registered nurse. Since qualifying I have progressed from a junior sister to a senior sister in the emergency department.
Where did you train?
I trained at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in 2010 but continued to work at CUH as a healthcare assistant throughout my training. I have also undertaken my degree whilst at CUH and have just started my masters.
Why you like working at CUH?
I love my job and enjoying working in this trust, I’ve been here so long that I'm not sure I could ever move.
What does a usual day look like for you?
When working in the emergency department it is always busy trying to aid patient’s journey through the department, dealing with complaints and compliments. No two work days are the same, you never known what challenges you will face next.
How do you feel your role benefits our patients?
I think that now I am able to aid the patient journey from the point of admission, I do my best to treat patients and get them in and out of the emergency department as quick as we can.
What is the most notable thing that has changed at CUH in your time working here?
The size of the hospital and how many patients come here now compared to when I first started. I remember that you would have empty beds and flow all the time but now this is not so much. Most of the hospital is full at all times. This is what makes the role challenging.
What is the most notable thing that has changed in your profession/career in the years you’ve been working here?
I think that it is clear to see that no matter how hard things get, I'm always supported by my colleagues, they are always there to help and give a shoulder to cry on if needed.