Áine Lynch and her colleagues at Tallaght University Hospital
Our interview with Áine
Why did you choose a career in nursing?
My mother was a nurse and she encouraged me to follow in her footsteps. I think she knew that it would be a good career choice for me and she was right.
How will you and your colleagues be celebrating the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife?
I had established a committee to plan monthly celebrations for the Year of the Nurse and Midwife in Tallaght University Hospital. The planning was put on hold due to COVID-19 but I have a plan in place for today to acknowledge the exceptional team of nurses that I am fortunate to work with.
In the midst of a pandemic, I am so proud of how my nursing and midwifery colleagues, including student nurses and healthcare assistants, have responded and maintained patients and families at the centre of everything they do, with courage, compassion and professionalism.
I would also like to acknowledge my senior nursing team who assist me 24/7 in leading such a large and complex organisation.
How have you made a difference as a nurse?
I have developed many special relationships with patients and families as a staff nurse and as a CNM in Orthopaedics. I enjoyed teaching and later in my role as Clinical Facilitator, I shared my love of person centred care with nurses who undertook the postgraduate diploma in orthopaedics. In my role as Nurse Practice Development Advisor and Coordinator, I enjoyed supporting colleagues to progress into Clinical Nurse Specialist and Advanced Nurse Practitioner roles as I am a firm believer in the huge potential of specialist nurses in every aspect of healthcare.
Currently, as Director of Nursing in Tallaght University Hospital for the past three years, I lead a team of over 1,000 nurses and HCAs. I value all members of my team highly, promote education, research and leadership opportunities and encourage nurse led innovation to improve patient outcomes. I have been successful in the implementation of the Department of Health Policy on Graduate to Advanced Nursing and Midwifery practice in Tallaght University Hospital and now look forward to the implementation of several nurse led Sláintecare projects in partnership with community colleagues. In my current role, the responsibility of safe staffing and skill mix is always on my mind. Retention of our new graduates annually is also a priority.
During the pandemic, health and wellbeing of all colleagues in Tallaght University Hospital is a priority for the Executive management team and I.
What is your most memorable experience?
I have had so many great opportunities in my career that it is difficult to pick out one in particular. However, the opportunity to spend 18 months as interim Director Nursing Midwifery Practice Development Unit (NMPDU) Dublin, South Kildare and Wicklow allowed me to understand some of the challenges of sectors outside of the acute hospital setting such as intellectual disability, mental health, older persons and public health. I also have been fortunate to have had a series of supportive line managers throughout my career that always encouraged me to excel at work.
What message would you like to send to nurses and midwives in Ireland during this important year?
The first State of the World’s Nursing 2020 report calls for urgent investment in nursing. The report recommends an average 8% increase in nursing graduates annually in every country worldwide, as well as significant investment in education, leadership and advanced practice. The report underlines the fundamental contribution of nurses and midwives to the delivery and sustainability of healthcare and broader society. Nurses and midwives must be included as key influencers and decision makers around local, national and global health.
My message is to be proud of our unique profession and the positive impact that we make on the health and wellbeing of the public through clinical expertise, education and leadership.
Now as a qualified nurse, what advice, if you could, would you have given to yourself as a student, starting out?
Treat patients and colleagues with respect and kindness, establish positive nursing and multidisciplinary role models, maintain an interest in nursing developments nationally and further afield. Pursue education and development opportunities, embrace digital health technology and enjoy your chosen profession.
