As we continue our series highlighting the committed work of nurses and midwives in Ireland by sharing your stories, this month we talk to Bernadette Finneran, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Skin Cancer at Roscommon University Hospital (RUH).

Why did you choose a career in nursing/midwifery?

I chose nursing as a career for the same reasons everyone does, I wanted to make a difference and help people when they are at their most vulnerable.

Was this your first career choice and what would you do if you weren’t a nurse/midwife?

I stumbled into my current specialisation which I absolutely love with a passion. I am an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Skin Cancer and I have almost completed a 2-year Dermoscopy Programme, when completed I will be an International Academic Expert in Dermoscopy.

How do you believe you have made a difference as a nurse/midwife?

This unique role that I am fortunate to have allows me to assess, examine, diagnose, educate, treat and discharge patients. There is nothing more fulfilling than offering a holistic service. Our clinic is unique in that it offers a ‘see and treat’ approach so where necessary any surgical intervention is also carried out on the same day.

Do you have a memory in your job that really stands out?

The proudest moment of my career was running my first see and treat clinic which would not have been possible without the vision of my clinical mentor Ms Deirdre Jones and Director of Nursing Ms Ursula Morgan, and all my colleagues in RUH.

How has Covid-19 changed nursing? Are there any positives that you will take with you?

We adapted our service so that we could continue to provide urgent care throughout Covid and as a result we have introduced some efficiencies and promoted role expansion of other team members which has been really positive both for them and our service.

If you could, what advice would you give to 19 year old you, starting out?

Focus on developing knowledge, skills and staying up-to-date. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and if you find your passion don’t be afraid to expand your role. Passion for your job is what makes you an invaluable member of the team.

If you were given one million euro to spend on health, how would you spend it?

I would introduce Confocal Microscopy into our clinic, and it would come in at well under a million.

It’s post-pandemic and you’ve just won a holiday to anywhere in the world! Where would you go and why?

I would love to go on a family trip to the Rocky Mountains. This dramatic mountain range offers wilderness, diverse wildlife and alpine lakes...it caters for everything just like our service.

Back to reality…. You’ve a week to spend on holidays in Ireland. Where would you go and why?

You can't beat Enniscrone in Co Sligo and we won't forget to pack the SPF 50.