Meet Wendy and Kira Lundy, the mother and daughter duo who work together at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, the pair have discussed what it is like to work in the same profession at the same hospital site.
Wendy, is a designated senior staff nurse in the Emergency Department (A&E), has worked as a nurse for more than 28 years, while daughter Kira is a staff nurse working with the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), who joined the team in 2020 following after she finished her qualifications.
Proud Wendy was pleased to hear Kira wanted to follow in her footsteps by becoming a nurse, and was able to share her invaluable experience as her daughter began to carve out her own career in Edinburgh.
She said: “I love my job, it really is the most rewarding career. I was really pleased that Kira wanted to become a nurse, we had some really good chats about things, both the positives and the challenges that this job can bring.
“Kira trained over in Edinburgh before heading to Glasgow for her paid placement and now works with me at the Royal Hospital for Children.”
Kira said: “It was great for me to start my training in Edinburgh and carve my own path too. My mum has been amazing, I can speak to her about everything and she was honest with me about how rewarding being a nurse is but also how challenging it can be too. She’s been my biggest supporter. I was able to get a great insight into her career.”
After Kira, 23, moved across to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the pair, who are from Kilsyth, began to car share when shifts allow them to. They have always had a close relationship, but say those times in the car really help them unwind after shifts.
Wendy, 47, said: “We often car share, whether you’ve had a good day or a day with challenges it’s so good to have someone to debrief with, who understands what it’s like to be a nurse. When you work in A&E and PICU you do need to have that time to unwind and take your mind off of work.
“It’s a privilege to be able to work in the same building as my daughter. We have a great set up as we can both support each other, but we have enough distance as we’re not working in the same department. You learn a lot from each other too”.
Kira added: “It doesn’t impact too much on life at home, I would say nurse Kira is different from at home Kira, that changes the minute you put on the uniform and it’s important to have that approach.
“We have such a good relationship, but we’d probably both agree that, while it’s good that we work together, that we are pleased to be working in different teams too!”
Read more – Mother’s Day pride: Geraldine and Gemma Sparkes