Office Visit

“There’s a lot on the Internet that does not necessarily say what we want to say. Especially if new medications become available, we want to make sure the readability of the handouts are at a low enough level so people can understand what’s being said to them,” Liburd says.

Developing a List Serve

In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Liburd coordinates the Pediatric Rheumatology Nursing Network, a worldwide list serve for pediatric rheumatology nurses. Beginning as a North American newsletter, the list serve now operates as a forum for 165 nurses from countries including the United States, England, Canada, Spain, and Australia.

“It’s been very rewarding because I get to interact with many people, if not in person, at least on the phone and Internet. It’s been really exciting to see the conversations generated on the list serve,” she says.

Especially for small pediatric rheumatology practices, the list serve provides invaluable advice from its diverse participants. “I want to get the word out that if you are practicing alone with one pediatric rheumatologist, you are very isolated. In this way, [the list serve] opens up the whole world to you,” Liburd says.

To be added to the list serve, e-mail your credentials to [email protected].

Highs and Lows

Before becoming a clinical nurse specialist, Liburd worked as a head nurse, where she disliked the profession’s budgetary and managerial aspects and felt removed from patients and their families. After a year, however, she found a job as a nurse coordinator in the pediatric rheumatology program.

“The first day I worked at the job, I thought ‘this is my place. I have arrived.’ I have been in pediatric rheumatology since then,” Liburd says.

Since accepting her job, Liburd’s experiences at the ACR/ARHP have been career highpoints, because she was able to network globally, learn from other professionals in the field, and lead presentations.

“It’s all been very rewarding. Any piece of my life that’s been involved with the ACR/ARHP has been really wonderful,” she says.

Liburd also has worked on several research projects and is currently involved in three studies, including a six-month safety trial of pregabalin in adolescent patients with fibromyalgia. She likens her research to an investigation, saying she does not find difficulty balancing her studies and clinical work because she enjoys both.