How PATCH funding for postgraduate study helped shape one nurse's career in palliative care
"The investment PATCH gave genuinely made a difference" When staff nurse Olivia McGinley applied to PATCH for support with modules to complete an MSc in Palliative Care, PATCH provided part of the funding alongside her employer and Olivia herself. Since completing her MSC Olivia has gone on to become a Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic (HPB) Clinical Nurse Specialist. More recently she was approached by her hospital's palliative care team and encouraged to apply for a Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist post covering maternity leave, which she has taken up. Olivia shared what this has meant to her: "I've been reflecting recently on how much PATCH’s support helped me to complete modules from my MSc in Palliative Care. Looking back, I genuinely believe that being able to start those modules, played a significant part in shaping my career. I truly feel that my postgraduate learning has improved the care I'm able to give to patients and their loved ones. My postgraduate education has helped me stand out as an applicant and opened opportunities for me professionally. Olivia continued: "I know these achievements are the result of a combination of experience, support, and hard work, but I honestly don't think I would have had the same opportunities without the charity's support at that point in my career. I wanted you to know that the investment made in me genuinely made a difference. Why this matters Around half of all deaths in Scotland happen in hospital, yet round-the-clock specialist palliative care is still not guaranteed there. Building that capacity depends on skilled, confident staff and on removing the barriers that stop good nurses from getting the education they need. Olivia sums up what it has meant to her: "Thank you again for everything your charity does to support nurses in developing their knowledge and careers. It has certainly had a lasting impact on mine." Dr Pam Levack, medical director at PATCH commented: “Funding a few postgraduate modules can seem a modest intervention, but it makes a real difference to nursing staff in terms of their skills, confidence and colleague support. It can also be the point at which a career turns towards specialist palliative care, benefiting hundreds of patients and families over the years that follow.” Are you a nurse or healthcare professional looking for support with palliative care education or research? See our funding pages to find out how to apply. Want to help us support more people like her? Donate to PATCH.
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