Personal Reflection

Brenda McIlroyMacmillan Clinical Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Royal Victoria Hospital

Personal Reflection as a Member of Phase II PCSNN

Brenda McIlroyMacmillan Clinical Nurse SpecialistSpecialist Palliative CareRVH, BHSCT

Original Personal Benefits of Membership of the PCSNN Networking to form new working partnerships Ability to share professional knowledge and

experience Opportunity for peer support and advice for the

future Involvement in opportunities to improve standards

of symptom management, particularly constipation relief

Experience as a Member of PCSNN

Travelling to Dublin and meeting with some members of the PCSNN the evening before the 2nd meeting

Introduction on 2nd day to Phase II group Meeting different members of the PCSNN Having a better understanding of Grapevine Meeting members of NDT3 Topic for project

Experience as a Member of NDT3

Meeting members of NDT3 Topic for project Communication in-between each face-to-face meeting Working collaboratively Taking responsibility for various aspects of the project Volunteering to do things out of my comfort zone!

Challenges

Working on project alongside full-time CNS role (which is both clinical and teaching)

Volunteering to do things out of my comfort zone! Availability for conference calls amid clinical responsibilities Not Driving Other Study/Education being limited due to commitment to

NDT 3 Project

On Reflection….

It increased my confidence in networking/ communicating with colleagues that I do not work with

Gave insight into the various aspects of putting together our project using a collaborative approach

Enhanced my skills in team working and presenting to known and unknown audiences

Negotiation Skills Budget management Trust and Appreciation of each team members’ role and

skills

On Reflection…. Great sense of achievement completing project and being

satisfied with end result Happy that the information Doodle was for patient/carers Valued peer support throughout the process Thought provoking questionnaires on personality qualities

and leadership skills Increased my knowledge on the various work that the

AIIHPC are involved in Inspired me to continue to keep up-to-date with the AIIHPC

and PCSNN through Grapevine, email and twitter

Thank You