Nurse of the Year

Our 2011 Nurse of the Year is Clara Murtagh. Here is her story:

Clara Murtagh has been a nurse at the Children’s University Hospital, Temple Street for more than ten years. As a result of her deep commitment to her profession and to the quality of patient care she has provided as a paediatric nurse, Clara has swiftly moved up the professional ladder; first being promoted to a Clinical Nurse Manger 1 position, and then appointed to a Clinical Nurse Manger 2 on St. Gabriel’s ward – an acute 14-bed surgical ward. Throughout her six years on St. Gabriel’s ward, Marie says Clara has shown “huge levels of commitment, insight, flexibility, innovation and willingness to deliver the highest standard of patient care.”

Marie approached a variety of people who Clara interacts with on a day-to-day basis, including staff nurses and parents and families of patients, to support her nomination. All were thrilled to contribute to Clara’s nomination, and the responses included many glowing tributes, including: “Clara is a great role model” and “Her dedication to all is exemplary; her empathy and compassion are key components in the delivery of a holistic family-centred approach.”

Finbarr and Mary Sheehan, parents of one of Clara’s patients, are hugely impressed and appreciative of Clara and the bond she has created with their little boy Mark. They liken a quote they once heard to Clara’s leadership style: “The attitude of a leader is contagious and will infect everyone around him or her.”Another set of parents accredit Clara with being happy to perform any task, regardless of how busy she is or how “below her” it may seem to be. They added: “She has been there for us to share the lighter moments, as well as helping us through those more difficult times.”

Nurse of the Year Clara Murtagh pictured with Donna Aherne of The Irish Daily Mail