From staff nurse to wound care specialist | MY staff stories

Jennifer is a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Tissue Viability, also known as a TVN.

Here she shares what her role involves and what she enjoys the most.

What does your role involve?

I work in the Tissue Viability Team. We work with patients who have difficult-to-heal wounds, pressure ulcers, surgical wounds, leg ulcers and other skin conditions. Our goal is to help wounds heal as quickly as possible, prevent complications and improve patients' quality of life.

We cover all three of our hospital sites, and the surrounding community, including nursing homes, prisons and mental health units.

What's the best thing about your role?

I enjoy many aspects of my role, but the most rewarding is seeing a patient’s wound progress from a large complex wound to healing following any interventions we make. Knowing our specialist input has made a real difference to a patient’s recovery and quality of life is incredibly satisfying. 

I'm proud that I am able to provide re-assurance and emotional support to patients experiencing anxiety related to their complex wound. 

How did you get into your role?

I have always had an interest in wound care going back to being a student nurse 23 years ago. I was always that over excited student asking to complete bilateral leg dressings to which the nurses would happily agree.

Throughout my career my knowledge base and skill set have increased by attending various courses to support with this.

I love being a senior Tissue Viability Nurse, providing guidance and support to staff, patients and their carers.

A bit about you...

I'm a proud mum to two amazing teenagers. Outside of work, I enjoying travelling and have definitely caught the travel bug, always looking forward to planning my next adventure. 

Since January, I have been fortunate to visit four destinations abroad, including Bremen, where I had the opportunity to present at the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) conference.