“You can have a vision and a dream, but it's the support around you that brings that dream to fruition. That's been a really important part of my journey.”
Beloved PAH Nurse Practitioner and trauma expert Fiona Jennings has been crowned Trauma Champion at the 2024 ANZTS Trauma Society Awards, in recognition of her lifetime commitment to advancing trauma care and patient outcomes.
A pioneer in the field with over three decades of trauma nursing experience, Fiona redefined the scope of her role when she became PAH’s first Trauma Nurse Practitioner in 2018.
“The work that she's doing, nurses have never done before, and with the support of the medical team in trauma, Fiona has been able to open doors that no one else has – and really expand the scope of her role,” explained PAH A/Assistant Nursing Director Brock Yates.
“The importance of that isn't just around the nursing profession and what that means for nurses, but it's the body of work that improves patient care, improves the patient’s journey, and brings people together in the multidisciplinary team.”
Six years and countless accolades since stepping into the NP role, Fiona is paving the way for a new generation of trauma nurse practitioners to thrive within the multidisciplinary team.
“Fiona has really broken down the silos between nursing and medical work and been really collegial in that process. That's a credit to the team that she works with, who have really supported her,” said Brock.
A role model, a pioneer and a mentor, Fiona is right at home at Queensland’s biggest trauma hospital, where her patients are her first priority.
“To be able to be with patients and support them and their families through a very difficult time and journey is such a privilege. Even if it’s just for a moment in time, you can make a real difference to someone’s day,” said Fiona.
Fiona’s daily practice is enriched by the ever-changing landscape that characterises trauma nursing, where her exemplary capacity for change shines between clinical and research work.
“Each day brings new challenges, so adaptability is essential. Whether in the ED, ICU, theatre or on the wards, I respond to the evolving needs of the service, providing expert clinical care and support for the staff, for the patients who are seriously injured and families,” she explained.
“On Wednesdays, you’ll find me in the Trauma NP-led outpatient clinic, where I focus on the care and management of trauma patients in the community. Even though the work is busy, it’s rewarding because I see a positive impact on my patients' recovery.”
Key to Fiona’s success as a practitioner is her commitment to regularly benchmarking local practice against national and international models to measure the efficacy of established methods.
With the support of a 2023 Ollie Scholarship awarded by the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) and a PARF Extraordinary Grant, Fiona took up a three-week overseas observership this May, where she levelled up her practice.
“The aim of the clinical observership was to gain valuable insights into the day-to-day delivery of medical care by shadowing a trauma thoracic surgeon at a large trauma hospital in the UK. “This was to focus on enriching my clinical knowledge and scope of practice so that I can provide the best care for my patients. This opportunity has profoundly impacted my professional growth and broadened clinical knowledge,” she said.
After more than three decades and countless accolades in trauma nursing, Fiona’s invaluable contribution to the specialty has not only pushed the boundaries to advance trauma nursing locally and nationally, but has also inspired a new generation of nurses to follow her lead.
“My advice to future nurse practitioners is, don't be afraid. Surround yourself with clever people. Seek support from your colleagues and your peers and your nursing executive. Nursing is an incredible career. It's something that you can develop. There's so much opportunity out there and it's about putting yourself out there,” she said.
Congratulations and thank you for being a Trauma Champion for the PAH community, Fiona!