Grafton Nursing Life :: A Day in the life of Lorraine Mc Clennan

Lorraine McLennan 
Reconnect RN
Grafton Base Hospital

I did my RN training at Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) between 1975 and 1978 and then worked here for 12 months as a Registered Nurse. After this, I left nursing to have and raise my two children and then didn’t go back as I had begun working locally in retail. In April 2005 I saw an advertisement in the paper for the opportunity to return to nursing as part of the NSW Nursing Reconnect Program.

I applied for the program, had two interviews and got accepted into the program. I received a self directed learning pack from the College of Nursing consisting of study modules, case histories and self-test questions; no assignments! Three months later in August I started working on the wards at GBH. After an orientation of three weeks I completed three months of full time supervised nursing, rotating through the wards, after which I went straight on to the casual roster where I got heaps of work. Throughout this time, management and staff were very supportive.

I went for my first interview for permanent work after being back nursing for 12 months. I was awarded a part-time position on rotating wards as well as an additional contract for work on the surgical ward. After I completed this contract my permanent position was increased to 8 days per fortnight. While I am based mainly in the acute medical ward, I find it is beneficial and interesting to work in different departments as I see a lot of different conditions and situations.

When I first returned to nursing I really wanted to work in the surgical ward, but now I’ve changed my direction and wish to follow diabetic education. Unfortunately, diabetes is becoming more prevalent in the population and I will be able to use my skills and diabetic knowledge no matter what ward I work in. Recently I was able to spend time working with the GBH Diabetic Educator within the hospital where I was able to observe her role and excellent breadth of knowledge. In the future I wish to undertake a College of Nursing Diabetic Education course, but first I want to consolidate my skills and knowledge. There are so many opportunities for furthering your education and specialisation; management is supportive of my interest and involvement in these.

After a break in my nursing career for almost 30 years, I have noticed a few changes in the industry! There are new medications and equipment, but the basic nursing care is the same. Nurses today are more responsible on a personal level compared to when I did my training, we work more as a team with Doctors and Allied Health and communication has improved significantly. Also, junior staff members are expected to do more and I have been able to take on a mentoring role which was a bit intimidating when I first came back, but now I am very comfortable with it.

I developed a lot of life skills in my time away from nursing and I am able to use these skills in my nursing career. My confidence has soared since I have returned which has been due in no small part to the exceptional support from all the staff at GBH. The Nursing Reconnect Program is the best thing I have ever done- I should have done it years ago - and I’d encourage anyone thinking of it to do it.