Why I value my time as a trustee
I have been a BAUN trustee for the past 7 years. I was introduced to the fantastic work the organisation does some 22 years ago when I was a junior nurse within Urology and attended my first BAUN conference.
7 years ago, my lead nurse at the time encouraged me to apply to become a trustee and I haven’t looked back. The first year was extremely daunting, I had no experience of working for a Charitable organisation. However, with the support of the current trustees at the time, I soon found my way and within a year was taking on an executive role as Honorary Secretary.
Being a trustee is certainly different from your day job. Looking back over my last 7 years as a trustee I did not appreciate how this role could positively impact my development and enhance my learning. For me, I have developed skills and knowledge both professionally and personally which include the workings of a professional charitable organisation, chairing and delivering presentations, and how essential it is to network with both national and international colleagues and organisations.
Why I have a passion for urology
My passion for Urology began as a student nurse whilst on a Surgical Placement on the Urology Ward. I had such fantastic mentors on the ward, along with the patients I cared for. After a brief time in Haematology as a newly qualified nurse, I joined the Urology ward in 1997 and the rest they say is history! My Career within Urology progressed from being a staff nurse, advancing to Deputy Ward Manger and then Ward Manager and in 2008 moved to a CNS role. As my career progressed as did my passion to further my studies and academic qualifications and in 2017 completed my Msc qualification.
I thrive by ensuring patients receive evidence based high quality care. I am empathetic to individuals needs and appreciate the anxieties patients’ experience when attending the hospital.
Biography
Emma has worked in urology for over 26 years. She has an MSc in Advanced Health Care practice and is a non-medical prescriber.
In her early years as a CNS, she worked predominantly in the benign remit with specialist interest in erectile dysfunction, urodynamics, teaching intermittent self-catheterisation and dilatation, Percutaneous Tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladders and performing and teaching patients’ bladder installations. In later years she moved over to the Urology Oncology CNS Team which she now leads.
Some of the roles Emma undertakes include prepping and running the local and specialist MDT, running nurse-led new diagnosis clinics, performing diagnostic cystoscopies. Emma also works with the local cancer alliance ensuring best practice pathways are reviewed & updated and collaboratively with Primary Care and other National organisations. She has been a BAUN Trustee for the past 7 years and has recently been elected as Vice President.