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Paralympic Nurse  Ellen

“ I looked into the crowd and saw a sea of waving Union Jacks. ”
Who?

Ellen McDougall, 36

My job
I'm a general nurse for the NHS and team nurse for the British Paralympic Association
Did you do any practical learning qualifications at school?
Practical nursing training wasn't an option when I was at school but you can find nursing courses now where you work as an auxillary nurse for a year before you start your training. It's a great way to see if nursing is for you.
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My best bits

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  • British nursing training is respected internationally. All over the world people are crying out for British nurses
    sat, 09 oct 10
  • I'm back from The BT Paralympic World Cup - it was fab! The GB men's team won the wheel chair basketball, which made it even better.
    sat, 19 jun 10
  • I do nurse training courses every year, it makes the job interesting and means you're always learning something new
    tue, 15 jun 10
  • It's brilliant being away with the Paralympic Team but it's lovely to come home!
    thu, 25 mar 10
  • Just got into the Olympic Village in Vancouver. The atmosphere is amazing!
    sat, 06 mar 10
  • I felt like I'd made a difference today. I do love it when you know you've really helped someone and they say thank you!
    tue, 09 feb 10
  • My advice for anyone interested is to do some voluntary work to make sure it's the right path for you.
    tue, 09 feb 10

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Ellen McDougall, 36

At what point did you realise your talents were suited to nursing?
I knew I'd picked the right path really early on in my Higher National Diploma. One of my first placements was in a ward with elderly people – even though it was emotional and quite tough, I absolutely loved it.
What were you like at school/What did you want to be?
I knew I liked helping people. I used to go shopping for an old lady on Saturday mornings, and I liked that feeling of making a difference to people.
Did you do any practical learning qualifications at school?
Practical nursing training wasn't an option when I was at school but you can find nursing courses now where you work as an auxillary nurse for a year before you start your training. It's a great way to see if nursing is for you.
Why did you get involved in disability sports nursing?
I had a fantastic mentor who worked in disability sport and they put me forward for my first trip to America for the games in 1996. I've been working with disability sports ever since, at both national and international levels.
Tell us about some of your experiences at the Paralympics and Winter Paralympics?
In 2006 I was the first nurse to go with the team to the Winter Paralympics. It is a much smaller event than the summer games and that really brought us all together, It was great fun and really inspiring.
What’s your role within the team?
I'm the team nurse which means making sure the guys are fit to compete and I tend to any injuries while they're there.
What’s it feel like to potentially be part of the Paralympic Games 2012?
It’s going to be phenomenal. The games are coming home for us and hopefully London and Team GB will do us proud. Having the home crowd will make a big difference.
What do you love most about your job and why?
In my 'day-job' in the NHS it's when a patient says you've helped make their stay in hospital more comfortable or one of their relatives says 'thank you'. That feels very special.
What advice would you give to a teenager who’d like to follow in your footsteps?
The idea of nursing can be very different from the practicality of it so go to your local hospital and do some voluntary work or try a vocational course to make sure it's the right path for you.
Why would you recommend your job to someone?
Nursing gives you a transferrable skill and you can travel with your career. British nurses are held in very high regard and wanted all over the world.
CloseWho?

Ellen McDougall, 36

Is there something about your job that might surprise me?  Julia, 18
Hey Julia. Even though the hours are long and you might have to work every Christmas for ten years the satisfaction you get from helping someone on their road to recovery keeps you coming back every day.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced so far?  Fay, Edinburgh
You have to battle your emotions a lot. It helps to talk a lot to your colleagues and friends at the end of a difficult shift. Those emotions are what help you to connect with your patients.
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