Her formative nursing years were spent in general gynaecology while completing her diploma in professional studies. She then moved to the gynaecological oncology ward at the Royal Marsden Hospital (London, UK), followed by a ward manager's position in a 50 bed gynaecology unit. Ellen then helped to set up the gynaecological oncology ward and service at Portsmouth Hospital (UK), before moving to a Clinical Nurse Specialist post in Portsmouth in 1999. Ellen now works in Guildford (UK) as a network Clinical Nurse Specialist. Her main interests are service and strategic development, national standards, research, and education. She is currently the president of the UK National Forum of Gynaecological Oncology Nurses.