Today is International Nurses Day and we wanted to celebrate the incredible nursing team in Clark Clinc in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children who we work with so closely. We have a special interview to share with Sarah Hagen, a truly exceptional Ward Sister who delivers remarkable care to our heart families, supporting children and young people with warmth and dedication.
Tell us a bit about your background and how you have arrived at this role?
I can’t say that when I was a child I always wanted to be a nurse when I grew up, because I had my heart set on being a special needs primary school teacher. During my work experience I realised that I was much more interested in the school nurse’s role than the teacher’s. I left school at 18 yrs old and went straight to Queen’s University Belfast to study children’s nursing. During my course I had a 6‑week placement in Clark Clinic and I loved it, I found cardiology so interesting and I loved the patients, their families and the staff. I knew instantly that I wanted to come back and work there. After three years’ training I accepted my first job as a Band 5 staff nurse on Clark Clinic and I haven’t looked back since. Clark Clinic has provided me with so many opportunities such as the chance to complete a diploma in children’s cardiac nursing which has helped me progress my career and take on a management role, becoming deputy ward sister and most recently ward sister
What would a typical day/night shift look like?
No two shifts are exactly the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most. A typical shift usually starts with a handover from the previous team so we can understand each patient’s condition and priorities for the shift. I then introduce myself to the patient and their families. Perhaps my favourite part of the day is getting to bath our babies, pick them out a cute outfit, and make them a fresh bed using some of their own blankets and teddies.
Throughout the day or night, we carry out patient assessments and monitor observations such as oxygen saturations, heart rates and rhythms, and blood pressures, reporting any issues to the cardiac doctors. We use these observation scores to spot and react to any deterioration. We also ensure our patients’ nutritional needs are met, whether that is with a delicious slice of hospital toast, taking time to teach a baby to bottle‑feed, or teaching their parents how to feed them using a feeding tube.
Another important part of the day is ensuring all the patients get their medications. Whether given orally or through the veins, we are constantly doing sums and checking our medication guidelines to ensure each patient receives safe and effective medications.
As ward manager, another part of each shift for me involves looking after all the nursing staff, such as creating the staff rota, supporting junior staff with high‑dependency patients, and communicating with Dublin to ensure we get patients moved back to Clark Clinic post‑surgery and transferred down to CHI Crumlin for their surgery.
Communication is a huge part of the role. We spend each shift communicating with a wide range of people, from the wider multidisciplinary team such as dietitians and speech and language therapists, to doctors, but also with patients and families who may feel anxious or overwhelmed. Communication with our patients is important as we aim to make them feel comfortable and happy in Clark Clinic while also meeting their care needs and controlling their pain or discomfort.
What do you love most about your job?
I am so fortunate to be able to say I love my job and I enjoy going into work. I love the fast pace and unpredictability of each shift, this job is never boring.
The most rewarding part is being able to make a genuine difference to someone’s experience when they arrive in Clark Clinic scared of the unknown and what might lie ahead for their baby, feeling vulnerable or frightened. It is amazing to educate these parents on their child’s condition and see them grow in confidence as they learn to care for their baby with CHD. I love seeing these children go home, and then when they return to clinic and pay a visit to the ward, it’s so rewarding to see them thriving at home.
I also love the teamwork within nursing. Clark Clinic has a fantastic team of nurses who all enjoy working together and support each other daily, and there is a really strong sense of community among the team.
I also love that with cardiology I am always learning, no two children, even with the same heart condition, are the same. This keeps the job interesting and motivating.
What would you find the most challenging?
One of the biggest challenges is that there simply are not enough hours in the day. Balancing a busy workload while ensuring every patient still feels cared for and listened to can be challenging.
For me, the biggest challenge is also finding time to write my nursing notes, as I love talking to patients, families, and staff, meaning I am often doing this at home time.
It can also be emotionally challenging at times, particularly when caring for very unwell patients or supporting families through difficult situations. However, having supportive colleagues and good communication within the team makes a huge difference.
What advice would you give to any student nurses currently looking at getting into nursing, and more specifically working on a cardiology ward?
I would tell anyone thinking of going into nursing to go for it, you won’t regret it. Nursing is a high paced career and there is such a variety of different areas and roles. Throughout your training, be open to learning and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Nursing can feel overwhelming at first, but every experienced nurse started in the same position. Take every placement as an opportunity to build confidence and develop both your clinical and communication skills.
If you are interested in cardiology, Clark Clinic is a fantastic place to work. Cardiology is such an interesting area, and if you have a practical and logistical mind it makes sense. Once you understand your patient’s anatomy, you can understand the reason for their symptoms and what interventions they will need. Cardiology is a unique all island service, which means you have so many opportunities for career development and education.
But most importantly, cardiology will give you the chance to play a small role in a patient and family’s journey with CHD, which is a privilege.
What are some of your favourite things to do outside of work?
I love to be busy, and that continues with my life outside of work. I love playing sport and play hockey for Civil Service. I have also recently joined a CrossFit group, which has been humbling but very enjoyable.
I volunteer as a leader with the Girl Guides, and this keeps me busy planning a fun weekly programme and organising trips and camps. Our most recent adventure was to Disneyland Paris. I have also had the opportunity to volunteer with the Children’s Heartbeat Trust at some of their youth programmes, including their residential trips. It is so fun to meet inspiring young people and see them thrive among their peers, trying new and adventurous activities such as zip‑lining and canoeing.
However, anyone who knows me will know I love to travel and am always looking to have the next trip booked. This year I have enjoyed skiing and a trip to see the Egyptian pyramids, and I am looking forward to island hopping in Greece in the summer.
What does International Nurses Day mean to you personally?
As ward manager, I have had the chance to get to know the nurses on Clark Clinic a bit better, and I am so proud of how the whole team always does their best to go above and beyond for each patient and their families. International Nurses Day is a fantastic opportunity to recognise this hard work and dedication.
For me personally, it’s a chance to reflect on the impact nurses have on patients, families, and communities, while also appreciating the teamwork and support within the profession. It’s about celebrating not only the clinical skills nurses bring, but also the kindness, advocacy, and fun they can bring to a challenging situation.
