Why I value my time as a trustee
I am a founder member of BAUN. As a new CNS at the time, I remember my very first meeting sitting in a room full of strangers, in awe of all of the speakers. Since then I have been supported to develop in to my role and encouraged to develop my professional practice to benefit patient care.
I feel privileged to have met all the inspirational Urology Nurses I have through BAUN, I would not be the person or nurse I am today without them.
I became a trustee to pay back for everything that BAUN has given me, however, in addition to being involved in the business of BAUN, being a trustee has offered me many other opportunities to develop my leadership skills e.g. having a voice at a national level e.g. as part of NICE guideline groups, round tables and the National Prostate Cancer audit. I would never have put myself forward for these experiences without the support of the other trustees.
Why I have a passion for urology
I was lucky to be a Urology Nurse, I was in the right place at the right time, considering my future options as a nurse when my manager took me by the hand and told me I had to learn how to use the bladder scanner and flowrate machine as the new Urology Nurse had left the day they started the job.
Since then urological treatments and my role have evolved so much I have never had the opportunity to become bored. I love that my role is 100% patient care, everything I do is for the benefit of patients. I love that there are so many career opportunities for nurses in urology compared to other specialities. So many of us are working in nurse led clinics responsible for our own caseloads along a whole pathway of care. We showcase the potential that all nurses have.
And I love watching other Urology Nurses develop and progress in their careers in urology.
Biography
Pauline has been a urology specialist nurse for over 25 years. Initially a general urology nurse specialist then later becoming a uro-oncology nurse specialist., her specialist area of interest is prostate cancer.
Pauline has been performing flexible cystoscopies for over 20 years and last year she undertook further training and now perform diagnostic cystoscopies. Pauline was hoping to undertake training to perform intravesical botox but unfortunately this has been deferred due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pauline also hopes to train ‘to perform laser diathermy and start non-medical prescribing training in the near future.
As a founder member, Pauline has supported and been supported by BAUN since it started twenty five years ago. During this time, Pauline has benefitted from the support and educational opportunities offered by the organisation and the experience of being an active BAUN member has given Pauline the opportunity to develop a range of skills that she would not have done as part of her working role. These skills include being part of developing and leading BAUN Guidelines, leading the Education Group, representing BAUN on various national committees and as experience as a Trustee of the charity.
Pauline also has experience and knowledge of the role of a charity Trustee, including the legal responsibilities and believes that her previous tenure as a BAUN Trustee will be useful during the challenges of the next few years.
Pauline strongly believe in the value of BAUN’s role in supporting urology nurses, particularly in terms of their educational activities and networking.