Alumni Story: An Interview with Dave Ryan, RGN specialising in Palliative Care
Wednesday, 12 June, 2024
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- What led you to study nursing?
Both my parents and my brother have had cancer. I was highly involved in all their care which would have started in my early teenage years with my father’s illness. Attributes such as compassion, empathy and advocacy come naturally to me. I never had the opportunity to study nursing on leaving school. My daughter Sheila was born in 2013. Sheila has Down Syndrome and a number of comorbidities such as heart failure. Having talked things through with my wife we both agreed that making the switch from banking which I worked in for fifteen years, to nursing was the most beneficial thing for myself, and our family. Other things influenced and cemented our decision, but Sheila’s long-term care is paramount in our thinking and decision-making process. - What advice would you give to someone considering studying nursing?
I would advise talking to people who have or are studying nursing. I talked to mature students and also availed of supports in UCD before starting the course. This all aided me not only in starting the course, but also in meeting the challenges of the course. - What is your fondest memory from your time at UCD?
Inclusive is a term used intensely now, but for me it has a different meaning. The first day I attended UCD as a student the lecturers tested us on what type of learners we were. This ranged from visual to kinaesthetic and classes were developed to help all learners absorb learning materials based on their individual needs. This was like being on Mars compared to my past experience with school. It also gave me confidence that I could successfully navigate the challenge of the course. It also allowed me to meet similar people and make friendships that have lasted long after the course finished. - What is the proudest moment of your career to date?
Graduating from UCD with First Class honours and winning the Dr. Marie Carney Medal have given me the confidence to continue learning. Firstly, with the European Certificate in Essential Palliative Care and currently I am finishing the Graduate Diploma Palliative Care (Finished Sept 2023). - What have been the most challenging aspects of your career?
The ability to reset oneself. Working in a Palliative Care setting has its challenges as one deals with end-of-life on a regular basis. For that person and their family this is an experience that only happens once so the importance of resetting oneself as a palliative nurse is paramount in giving quality care and support in what is a very difficult time for the person and their family. - Did you witness anything during the pandemic which made you particularly proud to be a nurse?
I term Nursing as a team sport and in crisis we work together for the greater good. This was evident in the working environment with nurses being selfless in their care of patients. Unfortunately, some nurses lost their lives as a result of Covid while caring for people. They are the real heroes of the pandemic and make me more than proud to be a nurse. - Describe your typical workday.
The day usually starts by talking to the night staff and then followed by handover. It's important to get a good feel of how people have been prior to taking over their care. Then it’s a quick good morning to each patient to see that each person in my care is ok and then it’s whatever the day might throw at you. Working in Palliative Care is about giving people the best quality of life possible. Every day is a school day and I’ll be learning until the day I retire! - In your career and/or personal life, who have been the most inspiring or helpful mentors/advisors that you’ve had to date?
I’ve been very lucky with the people I seek advice from. My wife gives me a different outlook on life in general and she is my main advisor. A lot of people in UCD from lecturers to library staff have inspired me to keep learning as well. - As a nurse, how has ongoing professional development helped your career?
Ongoing professional development increases the quality of care that the Patients I look after receive. It gives me the tools to deal with difficult situations and to also recognise emergencies. - How do you manage to juggle studying and working, with a young family
Having a very understanding wife helps! It’s about being organised and planning your time and study. I tend to do little and often rather than trying to designate a full day to study or do assignments. Planning is the most important step. - What do you do to relax? Tell us a bit about your current life, family and hobbies.
I’m living my sporting dreams through the kids nowadays and I’m everything from kitman to taxi service and caterer. It’s a busy house with three kids, but we try to get out once a week on our own. - What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
One of my first managers gave me this advice and it has stuck with me “When things are bad, they are never as bad as you think, and when things are great, they are never as great as you think.”