Lanarkshire mum inspired to become child nurse after daughter born with organs outside of her body

A Lanarkshire mum has thanked a Glasgow nursing team after they inspired her to change career path following her baby girl's stint in hospital.

In celebration of International Nurses Day today, May 12, child nursing student Paige Reid, 30, has shared her story which inspired her nursing journey.

The mum from Motherwell had previously worked as a care assistant before she became pregnant with her daughter, Lucy Liddell, now five years old. When Paige was pregnant, it was noticed in her 12-week scan that Lucy had Gastroschisis, a condition where her organs lived outside of her body.

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Paige had regular scans to keep an eye on her daughter’s progress but, as she entered her final trimester, she became worried as Lucy’s movements were limited. The medical team at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Maternity Unit then decided that the safest path of care for mum and baby was to deliver Lucy earlier than planned, at just 32 weeks.

Little Lucy was born weighing just three pounds and four ounces and required a stay in the RHC neonatal ward for five weeks. It was during Lucy’s hospital stint that Paige decided she wanted to become a children’s nurse. She explained that the RHC team had inspired her.

She said: "I was at the neonatal ward first thing in the morning and left late at night. The nurses in the ward were unbelievable to our family. They really looked after us. It was at that moment, I decided I wanted to be a neonatal nurse. The anxiety and fear that you go through when your baby is in hospital is unbelievable.

"I hope to use my experience of this to care for others".

To make the change into nursing, Paige had to carry out a one-year ‘swap’ course. Following this, it was on to university where she faced the challenge of studying during the pandemic.

"Most of my course was from home due to the lockdowns so it wasn’t easy studying with Lucy at home as she needed her mum, but I got there. Then, in my second year, I fell pregnant with my gorgeous son, Layton, so I had to take six months off.

"Since then, I’ve done various placements at the RHC, and each one has been amazing. The nursing teams are so helpful, and their work has been really inspiring. I am crossing my fingers for a spot on the neonatal ward once I have completed my course".

Today marks International Nurses Day, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde celebrating their theme of ‘Our Nurses. Our Future’.

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Angela Wallace, NHSGGC Executive Director of Nursing, has thanked Greater Glasgow and Clyde nurses for their service and how they inspire others.

She said: "Nursing is such a rewarding career, and a path that many opt for following an experience in their personal life. Paige’s story is wonderful, and I’m delighted to hear that our nurses have inspired her journey. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our nurses who work hard every day to deliver good, person-centred care and training for our students on placement.

"I’d also like to invite anyone who is thinking about what’s next for them to consider nursing. Paige is a great example that shows you don’t need to come straight from school into the training. There are various pathways into this career".

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