97-Expedition Ship Medic Yvette Nunes

This week, Aebhric O’Kelly talks with Yvette Nunes, a cruise ship nurse, who shares her experience working on an expedition ship and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. She discusses the expedition's mission: to take guests to new and remote areas and provide them with close-up nature experiences. Yvette explains the day-to-day life of a nurse on board, including managing the medical centre, accompanying the expedition team on landings, and being on call 24/7. She also highlights the importance of continuous professional development and her training in Malta. Yvette shares memorable cases she has dealt with, such as managing bleeding oesophageal varices and performing blood transfusions on board. She offers advice for healthcare professionals interested in working in austere environments.   Takeaways Embarking on a career as a nurse on an expedition ship is a unique journey filled with challenges and opportunities. It's a chance to experience remote areas and provide medical care in diverse environments, a prospect that is both thrilling and inspiring. In this field, continuous professional development is not just encouraged, it's a necessity. It's a commitment to enhancing your skills and knowledge in emergency and critical care medicine, a journey that will keep you motivated and always striving for more. The medical team on board must be prepared to handle various medical conditions and emergencies, from myocardial infarctions to anaphylaxis. Having telemedicine capabilities and access to specialists is crucial when working in remote areas with limited access to definitive care. Healthcare professionals interested in working in austere environments should take advantage of online learning opportunities and seek out companies that invest in training and development.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:31 The Mission of the Expedition Ship 09:11 Medical Challenges and Responsibilities 13:08 Importance of Continuous Professional Development 21:24 Daily Life on an Expedition Cruise Ship 26:20 Training and Qualifications for Shipboard Medical Staff 28:25 Memorable Medical Cases 31:27 Future Plans and Career Advancement 39:02 Advice for Healthcare Professionals in Austere Environments