Claire Pendleton

I currently work in a leave relief capacity as a Clinical Nurse Educator on the Orthopaedic Ward. Through working in this role, I provide teaching to staff from various levels of experience and competence. I am developing skills in assessment of clinical performance and provide feedback regarding areas of improvement to drive future growth. Additionally I have prevented In-service sessions, presented a session at a study day and worked in smaller groups as well as one on one support on various topics. This role has incorporated the support of both new graduate staff member and staff new to the clinical environment, particularly nursing staff transitioning from adult to paediatric nursing.

I am currently working as a Registered Nurse in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. This unit provides care to critically unwell infants, children and adolescents from New South Wales, South Australia and New Caledonia with a vast array of medical specialties including Cardiology, Respiratory, Trauma, Orthopaedic, Transplant, Palliative, end of life care and more. Management includes, but not limited to, advanced ventilation, intubation, inotropic support, complex sedation and muscle relaxants, cardiac pacing, drain management and removal, epidurals, nasogastric and enteral feeding, intracranial pressure monitoring and more. We work closely with, and support, parents and families during this difficult time.

Participating in the surgical rotation program in my second year of nursing involved rotating between the Orthopaedic ward, Surgical ward and Burns Ward. In doing so, I have been able to learn and work with nurses from different nursing specialties and develop specialised skills in these areas including traction application, nursing care, epidural management, total parenteral nutrition, tracheotomy management and stoma care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered to work in the children's short stay unit as it was critically understaffed and in need of experienced nurses. During this time, I was exposed to caring for children who tested positive with COVID-19, and this challenged me to care for both the children's physical and emotional needs.

My new graduate year was completed on Edgar Stephens' Ward, which is where I found my passion and interest in surgical nursing. On this ward, I was able to develop skills in caring for the acutely unwell patient and gain experience in caring for children with complex medical conditions. I also gained experience in identifying and responding to the deteriorating patient and was able to assist during clinical reviews and rapid responses. I was proactive throughout my new graduate year and was able to complete many clinical proficiencies including chest drain management and removal, central line care, pacing wires, inotropes and cardiac assessment skills.

I was given the opportunity to work in a variety of clinical and non-clinical areas at Children's Hospital Westmead throughout my undergraduate year where I learnt my passion for paediatric nursing. Working as an assistant in nursing gave me the opportunity to develop communication skills, basic nursing cares and skills, working in a team environment and time management skills.