A third-year student nurse at Sheffield Hallam University has returned to Sheffield Children’s Hospital to complete her training after receiving care at the hospital for scoliosis as a teenager.
After experiencing first-hand the outstanding care delivered by the team at Sheffield Children’s, Elise Sutton was inspired to pursue a career in children’s healthcare and to return to Sheffield Children’s as part of her training.
Elise said: “Visiting Sheffield Children’s was the turning point for me. After that, there was only really ever one career path that I wanted to follow. Walking through those doors for the first time as a staff member was a really proud moment for me, and I can’t wait to continue my work here over the coming years.”
In 2018, Elise’s family noticed a difference in the way that she was standing. After seeking advice from their GP, Elise was eventually sent to the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s, where the team quickly diagnosed her with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) – a condition denoted by a curvature in the spine that develops after the age of 10 years old.
Caron Edmonds, a Spinal Nurse who cared for Elise during her time at Sheffield Children’s, said: “We can treat AIS in a couple of different ways, the first of which is bracing. There are many types of bracing, but it generally involves creating a personalised brace which is worn by patient to support the spine and correct the curve that has developed. However, when Elise first came to us, we did some tests and found that the degree of the spinal curve was extreme enough for us to consider surgery straight away – so this is the option that we took.”
Elise added: “It was quite overwhelming, as it all came together so quickly. I hadn’t even heard of scoliosis before I was diagnosed so it was quite a scary time. Caron and the team were really great with me and my family though, they were really kind and spent time with us explaining the options that would be available to us. We were really thankful for the time that they spent making us feel comfortable and made sure that we know everything that was happening.”
Ultimately, Elise successfully underwent spinal surgery at Sheffield Children’s to correct the curve in her spine. Then, after seven years away from Sheffield Children’s, Elise returned as part of her training which would see her become a fully qualified nurse. Elise was particularly keen to return to Sheffield Children’s, highlighting a drive to support patients and families in the same way as she experienced in the past. Elise said:
“As somebody who has experienced what it’s like to be a patient here, I think I really do have a perspective that is really valuable. I was really keen to come back to Sheffield Children’s to use that experience, give back to the Trust for the amazing support that they gave me and to support families, many of whom are going through some of their most difficult times.”
In her current role, Elise is able to use her lived experience to affect positive outcomes for the children and young people that she sees every day. Elise said: “In a sense my experience does inform me. I can really empathise with our patients, and I always do what I can to put them at ease. I know how disorienting a visit to the hospital can be, so I feel like I can use that to my advantage when interacting with our families.”
Elise has now completed a number of placements at Sheffield Children’s, including eight-week stints on our inpatient wards and Emergency Department. However, she has taken a particular interest in supporting families as a community health visitor.
“I love the variety of working in the community. On my placement, we saw so many families and had so many interactions. No two days are the same, and it is really the area that I’ve been most taken by.”
Elise has already secured a rotational position at Sheffield Children’s once her training period comes to an end and plans to take on further study in the future to help cement her position as a qualified Community Health Visitor. Elise said:
“When I first walked through the doors at 14, I’d have never thought that I would have been back in this capacity. Being able to use my lived experience to support families both in the hospital and in the community has been so rewarding – and I can’t wait to get started in a full-time role later on this year!”
Caron added: “We’re all so happy for Elise. To see her come through those doors as a colleague was such a wonderful moment, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.”