I knew that I wanted to look after premature babies from leaving school. Completing a BTEC in Health Studies and then going on to a BSc in children’s nursing provided me with the opportunity to start working on the neonatal unit as a Registered Children’s Nurse in 2003 (After working for 2 years on the paediatric wards).

Throughout my nurse training I realised that not all units have a community Outreach team. I wondered why families had differing levels of support and thought about what a lovely job that would be! Being able to deliver care in people’s homes whilst staying connected to the neonatal unit, delivering personalised care with a constantly changing work environment sounded so appealing.

After working on the neonatal unit for 4 years, achieving Qualified in Speciality and starting my Master’s, I was successful in my application for the Band 7 lead for Transition Care and Community Outreach. As a current band 5 I was supported to complete a year of work experience as a band 6 and then progressed to the band 7 utilising my Master’s knowledge. My career was progressing fast!

I led a newly formed neonatal community outreach team. Together we helped to facilitate early discharge from the neonatal unit, including supporting families at home with home oxygen, feeding tubes, requiring blood tests, and feeding support. The team carry out home visits, and telephone support, and support families whilst on the neonatal unit and the postnatal ward. They link with many other professionals, including dieticians, psychologists, and feeding teams as well as GP’s, community nurses, and health visitors.

I now chair regular meetings for neonatal community outreach teams across the Thames Valley and Wessex region in which we can share practice and learn from each other’s experiences. I also can help develop neonatal outreach services nationally. Not all hospitals have a neonatal community outreach service currently, however with a drive to keep mother and baby together and earlier discharge programmes the need for them is rising.

“I cannot describe how much of a difference they made to us as a family” Mum of a baby born at 31weeks

It is a job where no two days are the same and offers many opportunities for professional growth. I have been fortunate to progress my career in this highly specialized area of neonates and I would highly recommend it!