Laura McNab, clinical practice facilitator for haematology
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| Laura McNab |
The Palatine Ward is part of the Palatine Treatment Centre. We provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for cancers of the blood and lymphatic system which involves haematology and oncology newly diagnosed and transplant patients.
The expert team I’m part of utilises the most advanced methods to treat patients with haematological or malignant diseases. The unit is dedicated to the delivery of advanced research combined with the highest quality care. The work we do can be life-changing and life-saving for patients at The Christie.
As a clinical practice facilitator in the unit it’s my role to support the continued professional development of nurses and healthcare assistants, induction of new starters and daily clinical practice of all core staff. I help to deliver change, empower my colleagues, ensure that we are at the leading edge of best practice, champion clinical skills and prioritise education in the clinical area. This is with the aim of helping to maintain the highest quality patient care and patient outcomes, governed by national and local policies, and to provide a robust haematology and transplant training plan.
I’ve done this educational role since June 2016, but have been a specialist nurse since 2014 and have worked specifically in haematology for seven years at The Christie.
Having first qualified as a nurse 10 years ago it was a big decision to decide to commit to undertaking a master’s module in the Principles of Haematology through The University of Manchester.
The programme consisted of an assignment and attendance at seven full study days, one of those being an external conference hosted at The Christie – and open nationally to all multidisciplinary members.
Whilst I wanted to consolidate my knowledge formally, I had been a little hesitant to partake in formal study again before finally signing up to the master’s module. The thought of having to do an assignment worthy of higher educational standards was daunting enough but I kept asking myself if I will actually learn much during the period of the course.
I had been lucky enough to attend several haematology study days during my career in-house and nationally, and even more fortunate to experience some international conferences too. I asked myself how just another seven day’s study could build on what I already knew. But my inner academic ego kept niggling at me and convinced me to give it a go. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that the programme has made a big difference to the work I do and have never looked back since!
The programme provided exposure to specialist and cutting edge knowledge and I firmly believe I am now a more confident and informed specialist nurse, being able to share this knowledge and advise colleagues, help problem solve and aspire to provide the best possible standards of care for patients suffering from haematological conditions.
My cohort on the master’s module consisted of a multidisciplinary group and it was a great atmosphere to facilitate shared learning and interesting group discussions - finally getting the chance to ask all those questions I wished I had previously asked and not dared too since!
The most useful part of the module was the national haematology study day, hosted by The Christie. This brought together leading consultants, specialist nurses and allied health professionals from The Christie to share their world class knowledge with a wider audience. The study day also included some big name speakers from across the country to share their remarkable work.
The study day provided a comfortable and relaxed environment within the newly renovated education centre at The Christie’s School of Oncology
By taking part in this master’s module and the study day, I felt empowered with new knowledge to be able to make a difference with what I had learnt and to further support the education and training of colleagues in the Haematology and Transplant Unit at The Christie.
Before doing the module I had a good level of haematology knowledge, but having completed it I have been inspired to keep on learning. Despite the everyday demands and clinical duties of my role I feel it is important to be continuously learning so as to be able to support the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Study days are the perfect way to keep up to date and I will certainly be booking onto more study days at The Christie again, including the for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and Teenage & Young Adults study day on 20th November 2017 at The Christie School of Oncology.
Speaking at the Haematology study day
Principles of Haematology Oncology is a 15 credit module that can be taken independently or as part of a Specialist Practice in Cancer MSc delivered by The Christie School of Oncology in collaboration with The University of Manchester.
If you would like more details of courses available at The Christie School of Oncology, please visit http://christie.nhs.uk/professionals/education/
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