12th May 2023
Today is International Nurses Day, an important occasion that honours and recognizes the invaluable contributions of nurses all over the world. To mark the day, one of Belfast Trust’s International Nurses – Beena Tharun – has spoken about her career after coming to Belfast from India 20 years ago. Beena is now a Lead Nurse in the Mater Hospital in Belfast, and responsible for managing many staff and patients over two wards.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I am an Interim Assistant Service Manager in the Mater Hospital, Respiratory Wards. From my childhood I wanted to travel and explore new places and culture. It was my ambition to work outside of India and I accepted the offer to come to Belfast in 2002. When I started my nursing carrier as a staff nurse in Ward D at the Mater Hospital, I realised that I am a born nurse. I have really enjoyed the direct contacts with patients and involving with their plan of care. It was really satisfying to see them getting better and going home. I was really interested in learning and did not waste any opportunities for my personal and professional developments. Hard work paid off and I am really happy where I am and enjoying what I am doing now.
How do patients benefit from what you do?
As the team leader for the nursing team, I am accountable for nursing service delivery. I will lead and manage all the nursing resources and supervising the nursing staffing in my department. It is my prime responsibility is to ensure patients receive the treatment and care prescribed by their doctor and acting as a liaison between the nursing staff and hospital administration. I put my patients in the centre, involve patients, service users, their families and their carers in decision making and help them make informed choices about their treatment and care.
Tell us about a typical day at work?
Each morning I will discuss and plan the day with my colleague and my Service Manager. I will attend the morning call at 8am, which helps update me about the current pressures all over Belfast Trust. Then I will go to wards A and B and meet my team until around 11am to provide help and support, discuss staffing levels, complaints, meet with staff and patient families and help organise patient discharge. Throughout the day I will supervise the nursing staff, ensuring patients receive the treatment and care prescribed by their doctor. I will coordinate and oversee activities of the ward and clinical team members to ensure compassionate, effective and efficient delivery of high-quality clinical care for patients. I will attend the complex and delayed discharge meeting at 1pm and assist my team to facilitate any complex discharges. I take some time each day while I am on the ward to link in directly with my service users and attend the service user meetings when scheduled.
What is the best piece of advice you could give?
Take it easy, everyone is under pressure and working hard. You won’t be on your own. Ask if you are not sure of anything you do. Be positive and focus on your personal and professional development. Please do not take the work or work load home.
Tell us about the satisfaction you get from your job?
I believe, strong communication, critical thinking and organizational skill are the common characteristics expected of any leader. My job satisfaction is mainly derived from the work itself; I am so happy and satisfied in my job as I know my team and I am close to my team. By knowing my team, I know their strengths and enjoy helping them to develop personally and professionally. I am extremely happy in my role as I know I do have a good team working with me giving high standard and safe care to the service users.
Tell us about your life outside work.
I am a dog lover; my dog is called Ozzie. I spent most of my free time with him and I also love to watch thrillers. I do enjoy family time going shopping with my girls walks with my husband.