Jane knew several good reasons to pursue a career in nursing. Firstly it was a family business, her sister is also a nurse and secondly a career in nursing provided her with job security and stability. It also provided the certainty of spending important seasonal holidays such as Christmas with her friends...at work.
Training as a Registered General Nurse in London, UK, Jane soon found an area of nursing that was well suited to her high energy levels and her need to solve problems rapidly -the Emergency Department.
After rising through the ranks from student to Emergency Department Head Nurse and also qualifying as a Registered Paediatric Nurse on route, Jane decided to flee the cold UK winters and went to work in the Emergency Room of Palm West Hospital, Florida.
Working in the USA exposed Jane to Lean working practices in Healthcare for the first time. She became lead for the peer review committee on quality issues and gained extensive insight into risk management, and continuous quality processes within a healthcare setting.
Returning to Ireland, Jane studied for a Master’s Degree in Strategic Quality Management & Lean Systems and graduated with Honours from the University of Limerick. Her job as Trauma Services Manager in the HSE allowed her to bring Lean thinking to both the Senior Management and frontline staff in Waterford Regional Hospital.
As Clinical Lead for the Leading Edge group Jane has travelled extensively and has led an array of Lean Six Sigma Projects. Her work to date includes using Lean to improve processes in Emergency Departments, Acute Medical Units, Out-patient and Orthopaedic Departments, as well as in non-clinical support units such as supplies and medical records departments.
She is currently leading on several projects managing efficiencies with the operating theatre. She has a deep understanding of the issues affecting Healthcare today and understands the concerns of the staff she engages with as she has walked that mile in their shoes.
Her final reason for becoming a nurse was her fear of needles. Jane reckons it is far better to give than to receive.