DermView Dermatology Nurse Maeve Leahy - Career Spotlight

We’re continuing to mark International Nurses Day this week as we focus the spotlight on another Dermatology Nurse here at DermView, read on to hear Maeve’s nursing journey via a Q&A session.

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Q - What do you think are the important qualities needed to be a nurse, and why did you become a nurse?

As a kid, I was pretty quiet and cared a lot about how others were feeling. I always enjoyed lending a hand whenever I could, so nursing seemed like a great fit for me. I knew I wanted to work in healthcare and help people, and nursing let me do both. Being sympathetic and empathetic is just part of who I am, and I feel like I made the right choice going into this career.

Q - What training and work experience did you have to become a nurse?

I started my educational journey at UCD and trained at St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, where I gained most of my professional experiences over four years. During that time, I developed a diverse skill set by working in various areas. In Orthopaedics, for example, I spent a year in both an acute unit and a regular ward, dealing with challenging cases like hip fractures and road traffic accidents, which were quite stressful. After that, I worked as a locum nurse in different private hospitals in south Dublin, specialising in oncology and urology. Later on, I focused on cardiology at Blackrock Clinic for almost two years, finding great satisfaction in that field despite the stress. Eventually, I transitioned to a position in a GP Practice, where I enjoyed providing nursing care to the community. It was rewarding to interact with patients seeking consultations, not just for serious conditions, but also for meaningful conversations, one of the GP’s specialised in dermatology, performing biopsies, minor surgeries, and aesthetic procedures so I assisted her with a few biopsies which sparked my genuine passion for dermatology and led me to pursue a career at DermView.

Q - What would you consider the most common challenges that a nurse faces?

There is not one answer to that, it's a highly demanding career and can be very stressful at times, with long days and hours but the interactions with patients and their families can be so rewarding and seeing how you directly impact peoples lives, seeing a patients journey from the very beginning to the end and hopefully they're feeling better than before they saw you. The most rewarding thing for me is in helping to make someone happier and healthier, yes, I think that is the biggest reward.

Q - If you were going to advise somebody who is maybe just finished school or just considering going into nursing, what kind of advice would you have for them?

Although being a student nurse had its challenging moments, it was a career path I was truly passionate about. My suggestion to others considering this journey would be to stay committed. Once you graduate and secure a placement, everything will begin to align naturally. It requires perseverance and patience, but the rewards are immense. Moreover, nursing offers a multitude of diverse paths to explore. From personal experience, I can say that it is a profession worth pursuing and embracing. It may take time to discover your specific area of interest, but once you do, the love and fulfilment it brings are unparalleled.

Q - What would your feedback be on working in a dermatology setting?

This is my first experience being office based, and everything feels so novel. I just love that, you know, its new technology, it's a new company. Working with patients is pleasant, and it is heartening to see individuals who are generally in good health and content. The environment is pleasant, and dermatology remains a captivating field. There's an abundance of information to absorb, from the study of moles, skin problems, rashes, and acne, to identifying the most effective treatments for our patients.

Big thanks to Maeve for sharing insights into her Nursing Career to date . . . . . . .