In 2019, I was completely overwhelmed when I received the BJN Vascular Access Nurse of the Year Award. Along with many other nurses in the field of vascular access, to be recognised for my work in this field and for my voice to be heard was something I was not used to.
My path towards the award was a difficult one. Vascular access always seemed to be the forgotten specialty. We may be a small cog in some hospitals, but we are the cog that enables all the others to run smoothly. I had been striving hard for 7 years from the creation of the vascular access service to further develop it and had often been met with barriers. I was at a real crossroads when I received my award and winning it was the impetus I needed to inspire me to continue to work towards what I really believe in.
The award helped raise the profile of vascular access within my trust and demonstrated to other staff the commitment that both I and my team were making to try to improve patient safety and patient experience and, ultimately, to reduce harm and improve outcomes. It also provided me with a platform to develop and expand our service further through engagement with a much wider audience across NHS boundaries. For me, the most important part of what we do is to provide a high standard of evidence-based vascular access, with vessel health and preservation care at the forefront of innovation but with the patient at the centre (Hallam et al, 2021).
The response from trust staff, colleagues and patients was overwhelming. The profile of the award enabled me to inspire others to strive to deliver the best for their patients in whatever specialty, despite the odds.
There may be a glass ceiling above us sometimes, where we can see our goal but can’t touch it. This can be hard to break, but with tenacity and the support of others — and with awards such as BJN's — we can gain the confidence and increased resilience to break that glass and achieve our goals for improved patient care. Progress can involve three steps forward and three steps back, but tenacity and hard work will translate into effective change.
I’ve always been passionate about vascular access and IV therapies from my previous work as a sister in critical care. For without vascular access we could not provide the treatments and therapies required to care for patients and reverse potentially fatal conditions. So to become a member of the National Infusion and Vascular Access Society (NIVAS) board in the years following my award has been a huge privilege. NIVAS is the only society that represents both vascular access and IV therapies, with a critical focus on the work set out in the ‘white paper 2022’, written by Andrew Barton, Chair of NIVAS, a real guardian for vascular access and the integral role it has within all NHS hospitals (Barton, 2022).
Standardisation is often the vital key towards ensuring safe and efficient care. So to be part of the creation of our national guidelines for vascular access and IV therapy and the national accredited qualification for vascular access nurses with the NIVAS board is a true privilege. When things frustrate me locally, I know that I am part of a bigger project nationally, which will eventually deliver the changes I have always hoped would be part of the future of vascular access and IV therapies.
So, be brave, be bold and stand up for what you believe in. Advocate for your patients. Get the basics right and then step out of your comfort zone — because that is where exciting things happen and you learn and develop the most.
I would like to thank BJN for the award and all those who have supported me along the way.