I am currently the ED Sister Paediatric Lead in Antrim Area Hospital NI. I have been in post for 8 years. Paediatric ED functions within a District General Hospital (DGH) Adult ED. I was responsible for setting up this Department when the new ED opened in 2014. My Department treats up to 24,000 children per year up to the age of 16 years. I completed an Integrated Course 1989-1993, which provided me with a Registered General Nurse (RGN) and Registered Sick Children’s Nurse (RSCN) qualification. I staffed in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit for 5 years and completed an Intensive Care Course in 1995. I worked in a general Paediatric Ward for 16 years in Antrim Area Hospital. Whilst working in the ward I completed a Foundation Degree and a BSc Honours Degree in Specialist Practice Community Children Nursing.
At present, I am a member of FEN Board and the FEN Competency Board. I am a member of our Departments FEN team and we are creating a Handbook and planning to support 30 Nurses through their FEN qualifications.
I hold regular Teaching sessions for the Adult ED nurses to ensure delivery of safe and effective care. I am in the process of creating a Paediatric Handbook and Pathways to improve the patient’s journey.
I am passionate about Networking and finding out how other departments function and love sharing ideas.
Karen is a member of the FEN Board, Competency Board and our Paediatric and Northern Ireland representative