A Nurse Reflects on Being a Patient with Secondary Cancer

A Nurse Reflects on Being a Cancer Patient

This session discusses the lived experience of a nurse who has a diagnosis of cancer of the breast with metastatic deposits in the lung.  Sue talks frankly and honestly about ther experiences of being a patient, and a nurse. Importanly, she discusses the vulnerability she has experienced and the coping strategies she has used to help herself.  Sue uses humour as a way of addressing emotive and confronting personal and professional issues. This poignant lecture is an entertaining yet profoundly moving session that will assist all nurses to reflect on their own practice and the manner in which they relate to vulnerable patients in their care.

The main concepts explored in this session are:

• On being a nurse and a patient
• Coping with a life threatening illness
• Patient experience
• Health care system

Sue Forster

Sue Forster is a Nurse Consultant and Educator who initially trained as a nurse in Britain.  She has substantial experience working as a clinical manager and teacher in both private and public health care sectors.  Sue has also worked as a Director of Nursing of a residential aged care facility and worked in Corrections Health. Sue continues to work regular clinical nursing night shifts despite her illness. She is a well informed, humourous and interesting teacher, who is always highly evaluated by those who attend her educational sessions.

Speaker name: Sue Forster
Recorded: 23 Feb 2010
Listening time: 22 Mins
Conference: Enrolled nurses
Session in Conference: 'Reflections on being a Patient'
State: Brisbane, Australia

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