Silver Ribbon Gynaecology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Stephanie Campbell-Wilson

Tell us about yourself…

I emigrated from the UK in 2004, with my husband, after spending a month’s holiday travelling around New Zealand in 2000. We were hooked after a week; however, it took four years to finish my studies and to sell my husband’s business.


I completed my nurse training in 1992 at Guy’s Hospital, London and have worked in Oncology ever since. I had a two month job in Renal Dialysis, but I missed working within the speciality and with the patients, so returned promptly!


I have worked in chemotherapy units, radiotherapy departments, clinical trial units and inpatients wards for Oncology and Haematology throughout the UK. In NZ, I worked on ward 25, Waikato Hospital’s oncology ward before moving to the clinical trials department. I started the gynaecology cancer clinical nurse specialist role in August 2008 and am enjoying the challenge of establishing this new position.


As we have no ankle-biters, we have plenty of free time!! Our trusty ol’ campervan has seen a few miles over the last four years and I have just started surfing lessons at Raglan, home of the longest left-hand break in the world!! I am neither adept nor graceful, but I will persevere, and it is entertaining my husband and the locals no end! (How cruel!!).

Why did you become a nurse?

I wanted to be a helicopter pilot, a dolphin trainer or a nurse, when I was little. I think I was lucky enough to have received some sound career advice from my parents at some stage. Apart from some initial disillusion when I first qualified, I have always loved being a nurse and feel it a privilege, particularly working with patients with cancer. It has also allowed us to travel the world and become residents of New Zealand.

Why did you specialise in Gynaecology?

My first job when I qualified was working in a women’s health unit at a busy London hospital. I saw a huge amount of women passing through the doors as if on a conveyor belt, very impersonal, with very little time for anything other than the basics. This was extremely dissatisfying, however it was useful to experience as a “how not to do it” lesson.
I have always had an interest in breast and gynaecology oncology nursing, perhaps to do it better than I did in that first job.

What are the requirements of your role?

Waikato District Health Board has set up this role to reflect the tumour specific clinical nurse specialists that already exist. There are breast cancer nurses, lung cancer nurses, a cancer nurse specialising in adolescent and young adults, a colorectal cancer nurse and now the gynaecology cancer nurse – me!
All the nurse specialists work hard to improve the outcomes for their patients, by providing information, support, advice and acting as the link person between all the health care professionals that patients may encounter in the hospital and in the community. I work with a large and diverse team of dedicated specialists, all striving to improve the patient’s experience.

What would you like to do better?

How long have you got?! Like Penny and Glynis, I am constantly battling against the clock, and organising my work to be more efficient and effective is a priority. As the role is new within the hospital, I would like to become better known to the staff and find out how I might improve the existing services in gynaecological cancer. As with all nurses, I am always looking for ways to improve care for my patients.

What do you think you do well?

I hope I provide an empathetic ear to the people I meet. I think the initial experiences that patients and their families/whānau encounter within a health care setting have such an impact on their future care, so I endeavour to gain trust and confidence as soon as possible.
I think I also learn from my mistakes (there have been many over the years!) and note what can be improved in my practice.

Tell us about your patients…

It never ceases to amaze me how courageous my patients are and how they always hate anyone saying it!
People suggest my job must be depressing and my response is always surprise that anyone could think that. Over the last 16 years of nursing patients with cancer, I have met too many families affected by this despicable disease and I consider myself fortunate to have been able to share and participate in a small part of their lives.
I am extremely privileged to work with an amazing bunch of women who face the worst nightmares of their lives with such dignity and determination. It is extremely humbling……………

Your burning desire is?

Make a real difference to the women of NZ with gynaecological malignancies. No small feat, I know!
I have ideas to develop the service at Waikato Hospital and across the region; raise the profile of my role; increase my own knowledge and skills and to fly the Silver Ribbon flag at every opportunity!