Niamh has been a clinical nurse for nearly 10 years, dedicating her entire career to oncology and haematology care. Originally from Ireland, Niamh began her journey in cancer care working in outpatient and inpatient oncology wards. In 2019, she moved to Australia, thinking it would be a short stay—but five years later, she continues to make an impact at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.
Since joining us in 2021, Niamh has worked closely with patients in the Day Therapy unit, where she administers chemotherapy and mentors nurses as an educator. More recently, she stepped into a dual role, dividing her time between a specialist nurse position in day therapy and a clinical nurse consultant position in the Supportive Care team.
Niamh describes her work as deeply meaningful, providing an integrated approach to cancer care. She supports patients emotionally, physically, and spiritually—whether they are newly diagnosed or recovering from treatment. “Sometimes, all patients need is someone to listen,” Niamh reflects. “It’s special to see the weight lift off their shoulders just by giving them the space to talk.”
Her work is rooted in collaboration with doctors, allied health teams, and specialist nurses across cancer streams to develop tailored care plans for each patient. Niamh emphasises how important it is to “optimise patient care” through these partnerships, ensuring that each person receives the support they need at every step of their journey.
For Niamh, oncology nursing is more than just a profession—it's a calling. “It’s an honour to walk alongside people during some of their toughest moments,” she says. “We get to share in their joy and relief, like when they ring the end-of-treatment bell, but we also feel with them in their challenges. There’s something incredibly special about being part of their story.”
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