At Jessie May, our nurses bring a wealth of experience, care, and kindness into every family’s home. Our Oncology Care Service provides specialist support for children and young people undergoing oncology, haematology and BMT treatment. The service is designed to offer tailored clinical care in the comfort of home, while also supporting siblings and parents, ensuring the whole family is cared for during a challenging time.
Leading the new service is Vic, who has been part of the Jessie May family for four years; originally as a Band 5 Nurse and now Oncology Lead Nurse. Vic’s career in children’s nursing spans more than a decade, with experience across adolescent wards and renal care. She developed a special interest in oncology early in her career, completing specialist training and delivering chemotherapy.
Vic’s Journey in Children’s Oncology
Vic qualified as a registered nurse in 2011 and spent seven years on the adolescent ward at a children’s hospital. “Because it was an adolescent ward, in terms of clinical care it was multi-specialty,” she explains. During this time, she developed a focus on oncology. “I completed two, degree level modules in oncology care, and I loved combining expert clinical care and providing empathy and support for children and families through one of the toughest processes of their lives.”
Vic adapted her approach to meet the needs of young patients, who often preferred not to be overwhelmed with too much information. “There was always a strong sense of hope ‘treat to cure,’” she shared. “The treatment protocols can be incredibly complex, but the expertise and dedication of the paediatric oncology and haematology teams are evident in the care they provide to both children and their families. I could confidently reassure parents: ‘You have the very best people looking after you.”
Vic also gained valuable experience collaborating with multiple hospital teams. “That really helps with being a nurse at Jessie May because we have children from neuro, respiratory, oncology… its extremely useful to still have those professional relationships.”
Why Jessie May?
After a period in renal care, Vic sought community experience and joined Jessie May four years ago. “I felt I was lacking in community experience, but I still really love the clinical, hands-on care. At Jessie May we still give medicines, manage gastrostomies, and carry out essential nursing tasks, but at its core, it’s being there in the moment confidently stepping in so parents can step back and have a second to pause.”
Vic is so proud to work at Jessie may. “With Jessie May, we’re a very small, close team, and you have to rely on experience and your clinical knowledge as you can be working remotely and independently.”
Why the Oncology Service Matters
For Vic, leading the Oncology Service is the culmination of years of experience and dedication. “This job incorporates everything I love about Jessie May, what I love about community nursing, my oncology knowledge, and my experience to hold that for other families.”
The service has already made a tangible difference for families. Vic highlights how holistic the support is, with sibling support, hospital and home visits, and tailored guidance for each child. “It’s looking at the needs of the family as a whole – one of my families has a teenage daughter, and the mum was really worried about her. With our sibling’s support, both her children are supported. They’ve really embraced Jessie May.”
Vic’s dedication reflects the ethos of Jessie May: professional expertise combined with compassion and presence. “It’s one of those jobs where you absolutely have to be present in your job. It’s very humbling.”
With Vic at the helm, Jessie May’s Oncology Care Service continues to grow, ensuring families facing the most challenging times have trusted support at every step. Her journey from hospital wards to community nursing demonstrates the impact that knowledge, experience, and empathy can have on children with cancer and their families.
To find out more about our Oncology Service or to make a referral, please visit Jessie May Oncology Care Service.
