A day in the life of Brian Magennis – Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neurology (Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorders) at the Dublin Neurological Institute (DNI)
I have worked in the Neurology Department at the Mater Hospital since 2003. There are 5 elements to my role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)– a Clinical Focus, Consultation from other Healthcare Professionals, Education & Training, Patient Advocacy and Research & Audit.
The most interesting thing about my job is that every day is different and can be both challenging and very rewarding. To give you an insight into a typical day I will briefly outline an average Monday.
I start at 7 45am, my voicemail usually has a few messages that have been left over the weekend which I check and log. These can be really varied, from patients, families and other healthcare professionals contacting me at the DNI. The phone continues to ring with queries throughout the day from patients looking for help and advice. My patients also have the facility to email me with problems and queries. During this time I also check them and other general correspondence.
Usually around 10am I make my way over to the main hospital from the DNI to review in-patients who are under the care of Professor Lynch within my speciality. If there is a person with Parkinsons disease or a movement disorder within the hospital they can be referred to me by their medical team through the nurse referral system. I usually get asked to assess patients, review their medications and offer specialist advice.
I then head back to the DNI at 12pm for the Multi Disciplinary Team meeting which takes place in the conference room. At this meeting all of the Neurology team get an opportunity to discuss our patients together, their progress, concerns or any other issues.
The Neurology Journal Club follows this MDT meeting over lunch from 1pm to 2pm. This is a learning and education forum where each member of the team take it in turn to present a patient case or a topical issue. Recently, I presented on Pallative Care issues in Parkinson’s disease.
Around 2pm it’s back to the desk to check voicemails and emails for about half an hour. At 2 30pm the Family and Carer Support Clinic starts. This clinic is a new initiative which I set up mid 2011 for family members and carers of patients who attend the movement disorder services. The aim is to provide education, support and advice, creating a better understanding of the persons needs at home and potentially avoiding a crisis situation which often results in a visit to the Emergency Department.
Once the Clinic is finsihed I return to my office desk. Throughout the day I get bleeped and contacted with various other issues which I work to have resolved by the time I’m due to finish at 4pm.
Brian Magennis Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neurology
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