Alumni Story: An Interview with Winnifred Abodunrin, Registered Nurse

Winnifred Abodunrin is an award winning, first class Honours Graduate from UCD. She is a registered nurse, currently working at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital on the cardiothoracic surgical ward. She also runs a popular Instagram channel (opens in a new window)@NursingWithWinnie where she offers advice and insight to the next generation of student nurses. Here she tells us about her journey into nursing and life since she graduated…

What led you to study nursing? 

Funnily enough, I did not want to do nursing at all - it was last on my CAO applications list. I actually wanted to do Dentistry or Optometry at University but I didn’t get enough points to do either. I ended up picking nursing, which I was upset about because I never saw myself studying nursing or being a nurse. Once I started University however, I quickly realised how good a course it is and the best career choice I could have made.

What advice would you give to someone considering studying nursing?

Nursing is such a rewarding profession but I it does come with its challenges, as all jobs do. Nursing requires dedication, hard work, and continuous learning so be prepared for long hours, both in study and in practice. Empathy, compassion, listening and communication skills are very important traits for nurses as you will be taking care of people in their most vulnerable times. It is so beautiful to be part of the reason why someone came into the hospital sick but left regaining a higher quality of life. Know your drive for wanting to pick nursing as a career path and let it be your motivation, even on your toughest of days. Nursing is so versatile and diverse. The world is literally your oyster and if you have the passion for it, it can be one of the most fulfilling career paths.

What is your fondest memory of your time at UCD?

My graduation day is my most fond memory in UCD. It was a day I anticipated from the day I stepped foot on UCD soil - to see myself at the end of the finishing line being able to say “I did it!” My graduation encapsulates all the hard work, late night study sessions, early mornings, friendships made, achievements earned and new path of life awaiting to embark on.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?

The proudest moment of my career so far is receiving my first message from a nursing student who thanked me and let me know the immense impact I have had on their life through my nursing page [@NursingWithWinnie on Instagram]. They expressed how much of a role model and inspiration I was to them and how I encourage them to keep striving for more and to never underestimate themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more joy from reading a message in my life. I felt so proud of myself and (opens in a new window)@NursingWithWinnie for making such an impact in the lives of others.

What challenging aspects have you come across in your career so far?

Imposter syndrome has been a huge challenge for me since becoming a qualified nurse. It took a long time to adjust to what seemed like a giant leap of responsibility, from being a student nurse to an actual registered nurse!! I also found that creating a stable work-life balance was something that I struggled a lot with when starting out as a nurse but I am slowly starting to understand how to manage my work life from my personal life.

Describe your typical workday...

I always start my day with prayer before I do anything, which really sets me up for the day! Once I arrive in work, I get my patient assignment and go into each of my patients’ rooms in the morning to introduce myself to them. After this I receive handover from the night shift duty nurse and plan out my day based on all the set tasks I have to do while prioritising my patients from most to least acuity.

I make sure that my patients are out of bed, having breakfast and all their hygiene needs are met. I have morning, afternoon and evening medication rounds where I dispense patients medications while simultaneously observing their vital signs ensuring my patients are hemodynamically stable and looking at the doctors’ medical plans for them.

Break times are very important for me during my workday! I can’t work on an empty stomach so I ensure to take my morning, afternoon and evening breaks.

Checking my patients’ blood sugars, daily lab blood results and any pending diagnostic tests, scans, x-rays or work ups are all a part of my daily routine, including alerting the team of any concerning results. Liaising with the whole multidisciplinary team throughout the day, concerning any updates in the medical planning of my patients is very important in the case any of my patients deteriorate, are discharged or there is any sort of change in their plan of care.

As a Cardiothoracic surgical nurse we have a lot of patients with chest drains, pacing wires and post-operative central venous catheter lines to take care of, and sometimes to take out, so the day can easily get very busy with them! Since a lot of our patients are a couple of days post operation, dressings of surgical wound sites may also need to be done. We have had cardiac arrests on my ward but in those cases they have been controlled and very well managed by all members of the medical team.

Documentation is really how I end my shifts most of the time! I try to document as much of the care given to my patients throughout the day but it is towards the end of the day that I usually have time to actually sit down and do my documentation. Finally, before I finish work I do a last round of my patients and check in to make sure they are all stable and say goodbye. I then finish any last-minute documentation and handover to the night shift nurse coming on duty then it’s home time!

What inspired you to start your successful Instagram page?

When I just started nursing as a student I felt like I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I realised how much I would’ve benefited from someone ahead of me in their nursing career giving me insight into what nursing was like, so I decided to be the person I didn’t have during my studies through my Instagram channel (opens in a new window)@NursingWithWinnie. I wanted student nurses/nurses to know that they are not alone and that they have someone who they can relate to, who knows and understands what they may be going through because I’ve been there before.

My hope, through (opens in a new window)@NursingWithWinnie, is to make all student nurses/nurses feel seen, educated, and to also have a safe space. I didn't always like nursing (I know how it feels to have to work for something you don't like) but having this page, I feel like I've been able to reach those who may feel alone in all this and remind them that you are not! Nursing is not easy but I hope to keep encouraging student nurses/nurses to be the best nurses they can be along their healthcare journey. There are endless opportunities at the end of the tunnel. I am a testimony that you most definitely CAN do it!

Following your academic and educator awards, what direction do you think you’d like to take in your future career?

I see myself eventually steering towards a position in education. In the future, I envision myself as a nurse who takes on the role of imparting knowledge and skills to both patients and fellow healthcare professionals, whether in a clinical setting, lecture hall or otherwise. My hope is to combine my clinical expertise with a passion for teaching, thereby contributing to the advancement of nursing practice and improving overall healthcare outcomes.

In your career and/or personal life, who have been the most inspiring or helpful mentors/advisors that you’ve had to date?

My mother has been my biggest motivation throughout my healthcare journey. She has taught me resilience in the hardest of times, fulfilling my purpose against the odds and has been my biggest supporter in my moments of success. I always say my degree is not only for me, it’s truly for the both of us.

I could not have achieved all that I have without my friends, family or without the guidance and leadership of all my professors, lecturers & assistant lecturers in university. I felt like they really did give me all the support I needed and went the extra mile to see each and every one of us succeed!

What do you do to relax? Tell us a bit about your current life, family, hobbies...

I’m currently in a busy season of life and I feel like there is always have something I’m doing, creating or thinking about so relaxing is very important for me – it ensures I can be highly functional without the burnout! Spending time with God, reading my Bible and praying is when I feel most at peace. Spending time and going out with my friends to the beach or coffee dates also give me joy. I’m quite a home body at heart and love a good romantic comedy, snuggly pyjamas and hot chocolate movie nights with my sisters. I’ve got 3 sisters so it’s always like a girls night in!

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding”- Proverbs 3:5. This Bible verse has given me the ability to believe in myself in all that I do. Once you believe it, you can achieve it.