Zoe Polly
Academic and research departments
School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.Biography
Having graduated from the University of Surrey in 2004, I began my Children's nursing career at Frimley Park Hospital on a general Children's Ward caring from children from 10 days to 18 years with a range of acute care needs including medical, surgical and high dependency patients. In 2007, I completed my mentorship training before becoming a sign off mentor.
I progressed to ward sister in 2009 before also becoming a tutor practitioner with the University of Surrey and Frimley Park Hospital. I moved into a full time education at the University of Surrey in 2012 and completed my PGCE and PG Dip in Learning and Teaching in 2014. I continue to actively undertake clinical practice at Frimley Park. I am currently undertaking my PhD exploring the psychosocial needs of siblings when a brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer. Through clinical practice, education and research, improving the experiences of children, young people and their families is my greatest driver.
University roles and responsibilities
- Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse Children's Nursing)
- Cohort Lead for Sept 2017 Child Nursing Students
- Module convener- NUR3176, The complexities of working with children and families
- Personal Tutor across child nursing programme
- Practice Liaison Tutor
- Academic Integrity officer
- Member of Maternal, Child and Family Health research cluster
Research
Research interests
My own first degree research involved an audit of post-operative pain relief for children following an adeno-tonsillectomy.
My main areas of research interest include children with chronic conditions, oncology, sibling support, transitional care and adolescents, ethics in child health, pain management and assessment. I am actively involved in a number of current research projects and engaging in various activities to develop my research knowledge, understanding and skills. I am currently undertaking my PhD exploring the psychosocial needs of siblings when a brother or sister is diagnosed with cancer.
My teaching
I actively teach across all professional preparation child field modules plus nursing modules in Year 2 and 3 of the pre-registration curriculum. I have a specialist interest in the effects of hospitalisation on the family, pain assessment and pain management, pharmacology, clinical simulation and acute care skills.