Melanie

What attracted you to become a Senior Nursing Assistant?

I was working on a busy acute ward as a Nursing Assistant. I wanted a new challenge and I saw the advert for a Senior Nursing Assistant in the community. I liked the idea of caring for people in their own home. It involves looking at the patient in a very holistic way delivering high quality care.

I also wanted to learn new skills and looked forward to having new responsibilities as in the community you are given a lot of independence when working with a given patient. . I felt in the community there was more scope for using your initiative but also having the support from the wider community team.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What I enjoy is the variety of the work and each day brings a different challenge. I always look forward to meeting new patients and following their journey from seeing them quite sick and watching them improving and getting stronger. There is also palliative or end of life care where you know that person has a life limiting condition but I get great satisfaction knowing that I can provide the patient with individualised care and that they are supported in their wishes to remain at home to the end of their life. I enjoy ensuring the patient has excellent nursing care as I believe this can make a big difference to the patient and their family. I enjoy getting to know patient’s extended family and being able to build relationships within my work.

Tell us about your most memorable moment in your role.

There was a palliative care patient on our caseload and I knew his prognosis was very poor. Despite this he was always smiling and teasing me. He was also so well-mannered and grateful for everything we did. During that time I got to know him and his family very well. One day his condition deteriorated quite quickly. Although his family knew his prognosis wasn’t good they were still not prepared for the suddenness of his passing. Although I was upset I looked back and felt that I had played my part in making a difference to this gentleman’s end of life care. Although dealing with families is often emotionally difficult it is very rewarding to be able to care for someone in their own home. I still think of this patient often.

How do you see your career developing as a Nursing Assistant?

I always look forward to new challenges and meeting new people. I am happy to accept my supporting role in the team. As services develop within my area I look forward to learning new skills and competencies.  In the future I would be interested in an Assistant Practitioners Role and I would like to be in a position to apply for this role accepting the challenges and opportunities that this may bring.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career as a Nursing Assistant?

Always come to work with a positive attitude and a good work ethic. It is extremely rewarding and you will be challenged like no other job. Each day will bring fresh challenges and different rewards. I would encourage anyone to apply for a Nursing Assistant job as it will bring high levels of job satisfaction from knowing that you are making a difference.