As we celebrate International Nurses' Day this Monday 12 May, we're sharing the stories of some of our amazing nursing colleagues who work across Hampshire Hospitals.
Meet Jo Fields, Breast Nurse Consultant at Hampshire Hospitals:
What inspired you to become a nurse?
I was inspired by my late Grandpa when I was very young. He was a male nurse during the second World War and worked overseas and in the military hospital in Netley. He would tell me fascinating stories and was such a compassionate and interesting person!
What has been your nursing journey and what path did you take to become a consultant nurse?
I started off on a general surgical ward which specialised in breast surgery. I was very interested in the specialist nursing role and the breast reconstructive surgery that was offered which at that time was state of the art (we are talking a long time ago)! I liked the communication aspect of the role as well as the fast turnaround. When a breast Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) job opportunity came up In Poole Hospital in Dorset I applied and gave it my best shot. This started my 27-year career in breast services.
I worked as a Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist for five years before doing my nurse practitioner degree, and took on the breast cancer follow up clinics to provide patients with continuity and expertise in how to manage long term side effects. After more clinical and academic learning (Doctorate in Clinical Practice) I also worked in diagnostic breast clinics.
I eventually left Poole Hospital five years ago to come ‘home’ to Hampshire Hospitals where I was lucky enough to join the most fantastic and collaborative multidisciplinary breast team. I have set up services at Hampshire Hospitals to include patient initiated follow up, breast pain clinics, and I am developing a team of advanced nurse practitioners to modernise the workforce and meet the needs of our patients and a changing NHS. Over the past two years I have taken on responsibilities outside the Trust including NICE committee member; national nursing co-lead for breast pain pathways (ASPIRE); regional clinical lead for rolling out breast pain pathways in Wessex, and committee member for the ABS education and training committee. My ACP role hence naturally developed into a consultant nurse role in view of the strategic and leadership aspects.
How has the role of a nurse evolved from when your career started?
There are so many exciting opportunities for nurses now, so that there is more breadth, and better career development pathways. Being a nurse is more complicated than it used to be, and I am in awe of ward nurses now and all they have to do. Having said that I believe that the core values of ‘caring and supporting’ remain the same for nurses worldwide.
What are some of the most rewarding experiences you've had in your career?
Making a difference every day to women by helping them manage side effects from treatment is always rewarding. There are so many others too, including: completing my Doctorate in Clinical Practice, climbing Ben Nevis for Breast Cancer Now Charity, being shortlisted for Nurse of the Year and visiting No.10, hosting a nurse from Zimbabwe on an observership.
What advice would you give to aspiring nurses?
Work hard, learn hard, play hard, be kind to colleagues, don’t limit your aspirations.
What has been some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your role?
Completing my doctorate; trying to work with a small baby and a terminally ill husband when I was in my 30s; writing a business case.
What has motivated you to continue being a nurse, and then continuing through retire and return?
I still absolutely love my job, but I believe life is about working to live not the other way round, so plan to retire at 60. My focus is now different, I want to return for the next five years so I can support the fabulous nurses in my team to grow and reach their potential, and contribute to the wider breast service community where I can.
Can you share one of your most memorable patient or colleague interactions from your time as a nurse?
One of the most memorable moments has been seeing a previous patient who thought she would never be able to have children become pregnant, and visit with her baby some years after breast cancer treatment.
In your opinion, what is the best thing about being a nurse?
Working in a team who have the same values and aspirations and being able to help people feel better – simple!
