WICM: Inspiring Careers in Critical Care – Nicola Clark

Introduction from the interviewer:

My time working in Intensive Care as an ACCS-EM trainee was one of the most influential periods of my career so far. I worked with a truly incredible team.  During the lockdown period, I was able to reflect on my time in Intensive Care and my role as a woman in medicine. As part of this, I approached eight women in the Intensive Care team to share their inspiration and their perspective. It was a privilege to hear their stories. Thank you to WICM for this platform and to the women you will read about, for their time and their words.

Dr Jasmine Medhora

What was your path to becoming a Physician’s Associate in Aberdeen?

I heard about the PA course from a tutor when I was finishing my undergraduate degree in Biomedical science and Pharmacology. All of my friends were getting ready to start new jobs and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. The PA course seemed like something different and exciting, especially the idea of working in a clinical setting. The only PA course in Scotland was run at the University of Aberdeen and after this I decided to stay and take on a PA internship at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

What made you choose to work in the Medical High Dependency Unit?

After graduating, I wanted to get a feel for what it was like to work as a PA. I did an internship made up of six months of Emergency Medicine and six months of working in the Medical High Dependency Unit. These jobs gave me good exposure to a variety of patients. In Medical HDU, I really enjoyed seeing the different medical presentations and working with the team, so I decided to continue working there after my internship.

What have been the challenges for you when transitioning from Medical HDU to ITU during the pandemic?

The transition from Medical HDU to ITU had been planned prior to the pandemic and was offered to me. I welcomed the change and I saw it as a good opportunity. The transition was brought forward as the pandemic unfolded and I was apprehensive to begin with because I thought I would not have time to settle into ITU. On reflection, I think just getting involved from the start was the best thing rather than shadowing or observing.

I was anxious about being the only PA in ITU. I thought people may think I was not as useful as other colleagues. But I learned that we all have something to contribute and I have become closer to the team of Advanced Critical Care Practitioners which is nice.

This department has a large number of female trainees – does this make for a different work dynamic compared to other teams you have worked in?

I have always found my male colleagues as approachable as my female colleagues, so I do not think the work dynamic is that different in this team. What I have enjoyed in ITU is being part of a large team where we are all blended and there is respect for every other team member. I have not felt that I am differentiated from others because I am a PA. I like that multi-disciplinary involvement is very much valued and encouraged in our critical care team.

What reflections from the pandemic situation will you take forward with you?

With regards to work, I think I have been taken out of my comfort zone and this made me realise I was at a stage in my career where I was complacent and settled in one job. I was not considering new challenges. Working in ITU has made me open my textbooks again and broadened my knowledge. Initially I was panicking that I could not do this new role, but my team inspired me and made me want to do better.

Outside of work, I have come to appreciate the need for work-life balance even more. It is important to switch off from work and that is why there is a team to handover to.  The pandemic has also put things into perspective. We had to move our wedding, but I realised that other things are more important. Our relationship is bigger than just one day!