Heartbeat: IPC nurse commended for outstanding achievement at Dundee University
December 11, 2018
A newly qualified infection prevention and control (IPC) nurse advisor is beaming with pride after receiving a Dean’s Award for outstanding academic achievement from Dundee University.
IPC Nurse, Susan Ward had been with the infection control team for 14 years when she decided to take the leap and launch herself in to a self-funded two year long distance learning degree at Dundee University with the aim of progressing in her IPC career here at SWBH. And at graduation two years on, she was overcome with joy when she was chosen for the much sought after award.
To find out more, Heartbeat caught up with Susan during one of her shifts at City Hospital. She said: “I love working here and I was keen to progress so as soon as I saw an opportunity to enrol in an IPC top up degree, I jumped at the chance and never looked back.
“The course was distance learning which fitted in with the demands of a young family and a husband who works away from home. The degree had a heavy focus on applied learning, this meant I spent time with our domestic teams and laboratory colleagues to see how they work and the challenges they face in a modern NHS. Additionally, understanding why it’s important that we work together to provide safe, quality care for our patients and support to protect colleagues.”
Susan continued: “Returning to academia can be daunting, but I worked hard for the first module, fitting in reading whenever I could. This often meant reviewing articles in the changing rooms of our local swimming pool whilst waiting for the kids, children’s birthday parties, and even sneaking work in at a family wedding! I pushed myself to engage with other students and with the activities that the tutors gave us and I even ended up doing a short video about the benefits of social media for nursing which my tutor has used for a presentation for other students.
“After getting an A for my first module this spurred me on and gave me confidence. The hard work paid off and I achieved a distinction overall for my degree. So it was a complete surprise to receive the Dean’s award, I feel very humbled.
“It’s been a great opportunity to study alongside people from many other countries and also to be taught by a leading light in IPC, our course tutor being the education and research lead for the IPC society.”
Since receiving her new qualifications and commendation, Susan has now moved in to a IPC nurse advisor role with a particular focus on neonatal, surgical wounds, MRSA as well as her number one priority of preventing avoidable healthcare associated infections and supporting colleagues to deliver safe care.
Looking to the future, Susan is now keen to gain her master’s degree.