"My proudest moment as a nurse" – Donna

During Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes, we’re shining a spotlight on the wonderful staff across the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) who help children get better and fulfil their potential. Donna Wyan featured in episode six as a Nurse Practitioner on Panther Ward. Here she tells us why she loves working on a surgical ward.

"I have been in my current role as a urology nurse practitioner for over a year. However, I have worked within urology at GOSH for 17 years – first as a staff nurse, then as a senior staff nurse and, more recently, as a clinical nurse specialist.

"I never imagined I would stay here quite so long, but I love urology as a specialty and work with a great team so haven't wanted to move.

"The role is multi-faceted but, essentially, I work as a clinical expert – working closely with the medical and nursing team, providing support and acting as a resource.

"I am an external link for local teams caring for our patients in the community and a point of contact for families following discharge."

"I love working with the children and their families – knowing I have made a positive difference in their lives gives me great job satisfaction and a huge sense of achievement.

"It is a privilege to work at GOSH and as part of a great team, each of us with the common goal to make a difference to the children and families that we care for.

"My proudest moment so far? Setting up the ward-based Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist Service two years ago. Having worked for many years on the urology ward at GOSH, I recognised there was scope to improve the patient journey.

"The service enables us to provide an essential link between the hospital and local services for GOSH patients, undertake teaching and provide education to the families, patients and staff and act as clinical experts within the field.

"I can see the difference it makes to the children, families and the team I work with."

"There was a real buzz around the hospital during Paul O’Grady's visit. Staff, children and families were all thrilled to meet him. Having celebrities take an interest in our work gives us a great sense of pride. Shows like Paul O’Grady's Little Heroes raise the profile of the hospital, enabling an insight into the vital care that takes place for our patients. It also helps raise much-needed funds for the hospital."

"I met Rosey just before her third birthday, when she was admitted to GOSH in 2016 for surgery to her bladder. Since then she has been a frequent visitor, over the last year she has been an inpatient 18 times on Panther Ward.

"I have been involved in Rosey’s care since then. Rosey is an absolute delight to care for, she melts the hearts of whoever she meets! She has an incredibly strong personality, and you would be completely unaware of her condition and the multiple procedures she has undergone.

"Like many children we see at the hospital, she is a true inspiration. It hasn't been an easy journey for her and her family, but they have been incredible.

Our website has all the information you need to help get you into scrubs or onto our wards – find out more.