Student nurse Barry McConaghy
Barry McConaghy
Occupation: Student nurse (due to qualify in 2007) and president of the European Student Nursing Association.
Personal/family: I live with my fiancee in Dublin.
What figure from the world of medicine or health do you most admire? I should probably say Liam Doran, but I try to take a bit from everyone I meet or read about and incorporate it into my own way of doing things.
What other career might you have chosen? I worked in sales for a number of years after deciding not to continue an arts degree. I could have stayed in that or gone on to do a business course.
If you could grant three wishes for the health service, what would they be? I would ensure there are equal rights for the elderly and develop a system that allows as many of our older population as possible to live in the community. I would insist on a clear and distinct policy from Government regarding privatisation and how the "normal" patient on the street can expect to be treated and funded in our health system. Finally, I would introduce pay scales for nurses that reflect their growing role within the healthcare system.
What is your greatest fear? Heights. The London Eye was possibly one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
Have you ever been a patient and were you a good one? I've had a few trips to A&E in my time, but never anything too major. I was a good patient.
When or where are you happiest? I love cooking and I use it to de-stress. I'm at my happiest when elbow deep in flour or chicken.
How do you cope with stress? I compartmentalise things. I give everything its place and deal with them separately.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself? I like to think that I'm a fair person. I try to empathise with people I come across in my role representing students.
What is the trait you most dislike in yourself? I believe in trusting people from the start, until they break that trust. Being like this can get me into difficult situations sometimes.
Do you use alternative or complementary medicine or therapies? Sometimes. Peppermint tea is great for relieving stress and Echinacea is good for fighting the flu.
What is your motto? I don't have a personal motto as such but I try to treat people decently and I try to listen.
What is your favourite TV or radio programme? Frasier or Match of the Day.
What books would you bring to a desert island? I'm a fan of Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum, so anything by them.
In conversation with Fiona Tyrrell