Reflections on the Library Service, from Student Nurse to Director

In conversation with Dawn Ferguson.

I have known Dawn since her student days in the Southern Area College of Nursing, when I was the Nursing Librarian.  Dawn has held many interesting posts throughout her nursing career, and she is currently Director of Nursing, Midwifery, AHPs, FSS & IPC in SHSCT.  My job has evolved throughout my career, but one element has remained consistent: managing the Healthcare Library in Craigavon and providing support for any staff in the SHSCT who need help sourcing the information they need to enable them to carry out their job or for study etc. Recently I took the opportunity to chat with Dawn about the library service as we have been on this journey together for over 30 years!

Dawn, what do you remember about using the library in the SACN during your training?

Borrowing lots of books and having to fill out a book slip for every single one!  The journal room was full of magazine files full of journals. It took time to find relevant references for articles using the printed bibliographies, then you had to find the journal box, and hope the issue wasn’t missing, or the article pages torn out. Then finally queuing to get it photocopied with cash or photocopy card in hand. Having access to online databases and e-journals certainly makes that so much quicker and easier now.

You have been a library member throughout your nursing career and you are now one of the Directors in SHSCT – how has the Library supported you?

Obviously when I was studying for various courses access to the library was essential.  I have also used the library when preparing for interviews, working on various projects, and for CPD etc.  It has been a constant throughout my career with the staff at the heart of the Library providing the services we need. Whether that is identifying a book or article, perhaps sourcing it from another library, or helping with literature searches to support work based projects etc.

Can you highlight one service that has brought you joy? 

I think I have made use of every library service available over the years, but one that brings me joy is being able to request an article or book that I cannot access.  In the past I had to fill out a form and either bring it to the library or put it in the internal mail and it could have taken a week or more for the article or book to arrive in the post. Now I can request an article online, and it arrives by email, sometimes within a few hours!  

Is there something in particular that you found really helpful?

 I can honestly say, I don’t think I could have completed my masters without the library.  The support of the staff in getting the articles and resources I needed was invaluable.   Anyone who has studied while also working knows there are various challenges, including the many demands on a finite amount of time.  Having someone to guide you through the process of setting up a literature search and knowing you can ask for help at any time maximized my use of time and enabled my success.

There have been many changes in nursing and healthcare education and practice over the years, what do you think is one of the biggest changes?

The need to access information has remained consistent, whether for patient care, academic study, CPD, or just the desire for knowledge.  The challenge now is the information explosion. There are many more articles published and we have access to information from across the world, mostly at our fingertips.  Staff need the academic skills to identify the good from the bad, what is the best evidence.   They need to have a mindset of continual enquiry and professional curiosity to ensure all care and practice has a secure evidence base. This necessitates having access to the best evidence to inform practice, and the best place to get that, is the Library. 

With thanks to Dawn for taking time out of her very busy schedule to talk with me.

Hazel Neale, Healthcare Librarian, Craigavon