BJN AWARD RUNNER UP
Louisa Fleure
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust
Sponsor: Supported by:
Louisa Fleure
When I heard that I had been nominated and shortlisted for the BJN Urology Nurse of the Year Award I was surprised, delighted and honoured. I had been to the award ceremony before as a representative for BAUN (the British Association of Urological Nurses), but attending as a nominee was an entirely different experience. I was nervous and a little overwhelmed, as the setting at the Globe is superb and very glamorous, but this morphed into excitement as the ceremony started and I heard the instantly recognisable tones of the man who announces the lottery as he broadcast the categories and nominees.The standard of entries was amazing and I felt humbled to hear some of the outstanding achievements of my nursing colleagues. I was nominated for a service development for men with advanced prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer is unfortunately not curable, but men are generally managed for a time with androgen-deprivation therapy (medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone to castrate levels). This treatment can cause significant side effects such as body feminisation, low libido, hot flushes and mood changes, as well as long-term metabolic effects such as weight gain, insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia and osteoporosis. This can adversely affect quality of life and, for some men, can lead them to give up treatment. In response, we have set up seminars to educate men about their treatment and empower them to make healthy lifestyle changes. These seminars involve the multidisciplinary team and have been very positively evaluated by attendees. The programme has evolved with evaluation and feedback and now covers side-effect management, psychological issues including adapting to change, advice about diet and exercise, finance and benefits, and relaxation and stress management. Recently we have also included a session on what happens once treatment becomes less effective in order to prepare men for the treatment pathway ahead. I have published this work and presented it nationally and internationally. I have been invited to speak in Denmark and, as a result, the Danish urology nurses are setting up ‘Prostate Schools’ to replicate this. I am looking forward to presenting my work to the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) annual conference in October. The standard of entries was high and I was absolutely delighted to receive the runner up award in my category. I felt inspired by the winners and was so glad to have been given the opportunity to celebrate nursing in this way. Nurses are generally not good at celebrating success, but we really should be more willing to promote the unique nursing role and its impact. I would encourage everyone to think about their practice (both individual and team work) and share the good and innovative things that you do. I would like to offer a big thank you to the BJN for allowing us to celebrate nursing and for a wonderful night. I am proud to display my certificate but perhaps the most exciting keepsake is the recording on my phone of the ‘lottery man’ (Alan BJN Dedicoat) bellowing out my name! To find out more or to nominate yourself or a colleague for the BJN Awards 2016, visit http://www.bjnawards.co.uk/
S40
British Journal of Nursing, 2015 (Urology Supplement), Vol 24, No 18 © MA Healthcare Ltd. Downloaded from magonlinelibrary.com by 137.122.008.073 on September 16, 2016. Use for licensed purposes only. No other uses without permission. All rights reserved.
Louisa Fleure
Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust
Sponsor: Supported by:
Louisa Fleure
When I heard that I had been nominated and shortlisted for the BJN Urology Nurse of the Year Award I was surprised, delighted and honoured. I had been to the award ceremony before as a representative for BAUN (the British Association of Urological Nurses), but attending as a nominee was an entirely different experience. I was nervous and a little overwhelmed, as the setting at the Globe is superb and very glamorous, but this morphed into excitement as the ceremony started and I heard the instantly recognisable tones of the man who announces the lottery as he broadcast the categories and nominees.The standard of entries was amazing and I felt humbled to hear some of the outstanding achievements of my nursing colleagues. I was nominated for a service development for men with advanced prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer is unfortunately not curable, but men are generally managed for a time with androgen-deprivation therapy (medical or surgical treatment to lower testosterone to castrate levels). This treatment can cause significant side effects such as body feminisation, low libido, hot flushes and mood changes, as well as long-term metabolic effects such as weight gain, insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia and osteoporosis. This can adversely affect quality of life and, for some men, can lead them to give up treatment. In response, we have set up seminars to educate men about their treatment and empower them to make healthy lifestyle changes. These seminars involve the multidisciplinary team and have been very positively evaluated by attendees. The programme has evolved with evaluation and feedback and now covers side-effect management, psychological issues including adapting to change, advice about diet and exercise, finance and benefits, and relaxation and stress management. Recently we have also included a session on what happens once treatment becomes less effective in order to prepare men for the treatment pathway ahead. I have published this work and presented it nationally and internationally. I have been invited to speak in Denmark and, as a result, the Danish urology nurses are setting up ‘Prostate Schools’ to replicate this. I am looking forward to presenting my work to the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) annual conference in October. The standard of entries was high and I was absolutely delighted to receive the runner up award in my category. I felt inspired by the winners and was so glad to have been given the opportunity to celebrate nursing in this way. Nurses are generally not good at celebrating success, but we really should be more willing to promote the unique nursing role and its impact. I would encourage everyone to think about their practice (both individual and team work) and share the good and innovative things that you do. I would like to offer a big thank you to the BJN for allowing us to celebrate nursing and for a wonderful night. I am proud to display my certificate but perhaps the most exciting keepsake is the recording on my phone of the ‘lottery man’ (Alan BJN Dedicoat) bellowing out my name! To find out more or to nominate yourself or a colleague for the BJN Awards 2016, visit http://www.bjnawards.co.uk/
S40
British Journal of Nursing, 2015 (Urology Supplement), Vol 24, No 18 © MA Healthcare Ltd. Downloaded from magonlinelibrary.com by 137.122.008.073 on September 16, 2016. Use for licensed purposes only. No other uses without permission. All rights reserved.
