Cyrell, Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) support for Myeloma, talks about the role of a CNS and her journey at CUH.
My name is Cyrell Garcia and I work with Haematology patients with blood cancer. I came to the UK in 2015 and I am one of the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) support for Myeloma.
A Haematology cancer CNS support is a registered nurse who is responsible for high quality patient focused care and responsible for providing specialist advise and support to staff, patients and their families.
I was working as senior nurse in the Philippines for 4 years when I decided that it was time to go abroad and expand my horizons.
My best advice is always to be passionate with your job. Stay hungry for learning and get out of your comfort zone to improve yourself and your practice.
I landed a job at Cambridge University Hospitals. I started as a health care assistant on a ward whilst I was waiting to finish my overseas nursing programme or also known as OSCE pathway nowadays.
I got my license as a registered nurse and worked on a Haematology ward that specializes in different types of blood cancer such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. I then trained to be chemotherapy competent nurse and bone marrow transplant nurse. When there was an opportunity to progress, I applied for a junior sister position on the ward.
This involves being a shift coordinator, bleep holder and also involves managing a small team on the ward. I have attended trainings such as chemotherapy workshop and I have also been sent abroad to attend conferences for bone marrow transplants, this is the most important annual event for research and education in the field of bone marrow transplantation in Europe.
I have attended courses to support me and enhance my communications skills, especially with breaking bad news to patients, this course has helped me understood my patients more and helped me deliver an effective communication strategy to my patients.
I have enjoyed my time working on the ward.
This is the place where I grew and developed professionally and personally, this is where I have built my foundation as a Haematology nurse. Now as a clinical nurse specialist support, this role has given me the chance to give the most efficient and best possible care for patients.
I think the role of the CNS is one the most influencing element of cancer care. The CNS act as a key worker for patients where you can influence your patient’s decisions to their care, influence staff and the trust.
I have been working in CUH in the last 7 years. I am proud to say that I have worked with brilliant and talented people over the years. I am glad that I am part of CUH family because I get to develop and enhance myself not just professionally but also personally.
CUH is a teaching hospital, so it prides itself with the latest innovation and research, there is a continuous flow of knowledge and improvement.
I am also proud to say that the working environment in CUH is kind, for example the doctors talk to nurses as equals, I think that this is vital to build good relationship as a team.
My best advice is always to be passionate with your job. Stay hungry for learning and get out of your comfort zone to improve yourself and your practice. Volunteer, take the lead and be proud of yourself. As a CNS you must have the knowledge of a generalist nurse to be able to help you geared towards the role of a specialist. You must be resilient and collaborative. Start with the basic steps first and enjoy the journey of working on your goal to be a specialist nurse.