Although I started out working as a paediatric nurse in a hospital, having completed my training at Great Ormond Street, I could never go back to that.
In hospital you have so many children to look after and so little time, the service you offer is very impersonal. You are under so much pressure from structures and timescales and doing everything by the book. There is just no way you can tailor the care to the needs of individual children and give each child and family the time they need.
I used to get to the end of my shift and think, 'what have I achieved?'. I had worked hard all day, done exactly what was asked of me, but felt like I had achieved nothing. I used to feel I had failed because I hadn't been able to really meet the needs of the children in my care.
I wanted to be able to do more which is why I took a job at a hospice. After that I knew I could never go back to hospital nursing.
I have the time to build real bonds and friendships with the children and their families and the flexibility to plan and deliver the best possible care. We offer all the same nursing skills as a hospital but with loving care and fun on an individual basis.
You build a bond with a child that makes everything less scary for them. They know that when you walk into their home you’re there to help them and support their mum or dad.
Of course we have really sad days, but even then, it’s a comfort to know you have built some special memories for that family and been a friend when they needed support most.
Families appreciate what we do so much and you really come away knowing you are helping to transform lives and that you are really making a difference to a family – and that’s a totally wonderful feeling.
