Rachel Ede

I am a dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic nurse who has a wealth of experience in many areas and environments. As a qualified nurse I have vast experience working in general medical and acute surgical settings; this has provided me with the opportunity to learn about, explore and understand chronic disease, cancer management, and symptom control. My role within these settings exposed me to the impact chronic and acute on chronic disease has on the individual, their loved ones, multi-disciplinary team and the service as a whole and the challenges involved when trying to meet the individual needs and wishes within the constraints of the service and available resources. 7 Years ago now I had the honour of being offered the opportunity to specialise in upper gastro-intestinal Cancers; and have worked within this role since. I have practical insight into the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach and demonstrate daily effective communication skills to facilitate achieving objectives. During my previous work as a band 6 sister (14 Years), I have specialised in the vascular unit which later merged with the upper gastro-intestinal, and sarcoma unit. I have cared for individuals with a variety of illnesses, disease processes and complications. I have a vast amount of experience caring for patients within the Cancer journey, end stage disease and the palliative setting. My aim is simply to achieve excellent quality care that is both individualized and person centered and in line with the trust vision, to deliver the best in care. I communicate effectively within diverse teams, situations and environments and understand the importance of ensuring the language I use is appropriate to each situation, both verbally and non- verbally.

I have worked in a variety of other specialities, including general medicine (specialising in diabetes), Colorectal surgery/Gastro-intestinal medicine, renal medicine, renal surgery and urology. This wide experience has enabled me to look after many patients with debilitative disease process, often with an emphasis on symptom control (rather than a cure), and a quality of life. I have completed a counselling course and during my career recognise that communication and listening is so important, particularly when the patient is presented with a poor prognosis, end stage disease; often when the emphasis is centred round symptom control, palliation, and providing Gold Standard Best Supportive Care rather than a cure. I have developed exceptional communication skills within both the CNS team and the multi-disciplinary team, and I am booked to attend the Advanced Communication Course in October 2019.

During the last 7 Years within the CNS role, I have developed great experience in UGI Cancers, and the pathway from referral to diagnosis, then through to treatment ( in line with NICE Guidance). I have been exposed on a daily level to both the surgical and the oncological pathways that are followed to support patients within curative intent and palliative treatments, and those that require best supportive care. I have been involved in numerous situations which have demanded excellent verbal and non- verbal communication, support and empathy and I feel that I have demonstrated these skills often within very challenging situations. Although my nursing career thus far has been based in the acute sector, I am experienced in communicating with and referring to external services such as hospices, end of life units as well as general practitioners and district nurses. Working within many different specialties has exposed me to many styles of nursing, and it has enabled me to develop professionally and expand my clinical expertise. My varied experience has made me a strong and confident professional nurse. I strive to lead by example delivering the very best in care I can and supporting others to do the same. I believe communication is key to success, and I believe I demonstrate a balanced approach to any situation and possess good interpersonal skills such as empathy, compassion, the ability to listen and to employ a problem solving approach, approaching difficult situations with a ‘ it’s a challenge not a problem’ and a ‘can do ‘approach. I have proven ability to lead a team in the absence of a permanent ward manager on several previous occasions at ward Level, acting up previously for long periods into the Ward Managers Role. This has given me valuable experience to manage and lead a large team, both clinically and professionally, which I feel has been a great benefit to me and to others now I am a CNS. Within my CNS role due to staff shortages I worked for some weeks when newly in post, fairly autonomously within the UGI team. This was a huge chance to really develop within my role, enabling me to understand the Oesophago-gastric Cancer Pathway, the importance of the CNS within the team as a key worker and key point of contact. I really was able to understand, develop and demonstrate expert Clinical Practice, whereby reviewing patients most days on the ward to provide support. It enabled me as ward ERAS lead CNS, to push the ERAS pathway with patients and to ensure ward staff were doing also. I have followed patients through the pathway in the oncological and surgical clinic setting, providing support, advice and empathy at clinic consultations. I have maintained support via telephone to those that call with issues and difficult situations, offering guidance and solutions. I have provided a telephone follow up system ensuring that surgical discharges receive follow up calls at home, also those patients that are complex or those that are likely to develop issues. This point of contact ensures a good link to the patient and family, and aims to identify, trouble-shoot and problem solve, which should avoid hospital admission. My role on a daily basis requires me to support and educate ward staff to ensure excellent patient care; and to provide education for patients and their families. I maintain excellent standards of documentation electronically and communicate effectively to establish and maintain seamless care within the pathway, ensuring it is both organised, consistent and timely in line with National and Trust Key Performance Indicators. My love for nursing is demonstrated in my approach, where my aim is simple; excellent holistic, individualized patient and family care, in line with the Trust’s vision and values. Working within the Upper gastrointestinal and Sarcoma team is an honour and a privilege, but also very rewarding to be able to support the patient and their family with a cancer diagnosis throughout their journey