Behind the job title

Meet Elisha Thompson, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Pulmonary Hypertension at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH)

Did you always want to be a nurse?

When I was about five, I wanted to be a heart surgeon. I’m glad I stayed away from that idea!

What do you love about your job?

The families are incredible. They are some of the bravest people I have met and are always such an inspiration. You get to build a real relationship with them, and you are quite often part of their journey, which is a privilege. Our knowledge of PH is evolving and growing all the time, and being able to be part of that is amazing.

What does a ‘typical’ day at work look like for you?

No two days are the same – coffee is the only consistent thing!

What makes you proud at work?

Knowing that I may have helped to make somebody’s time at GOSH just that little bit more bearable or easier. Even if that means something simple like helping them with accommodation!

What makes GOSH, and its PH service, so special?

It’s definitely the whole team at GOSH, not just within PH. It’s radiographers, sonographers, technicians, and other specialties too. We look after some very complex children, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do, or provide the service we do, without them all. My colleagues are amazing to work with and I am always so proud of the way they go above and beyond for patients and families.

How do you think your colleagues would describe you?

Organised, ‘gets stuff done’ and caring.

How do you relax outside of work?

I enjoy reading a lot and always have a book on the go. I find it helps to take my mind off things on my journey home.