Publish date: 11 May 2023
As we mark International Nurses’ Day on Friday we are sharing the stories of nurses working in the Trust at the beginning or early in the career to celebrate the theme #FutureOfNursing.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
I always knew I wanted to work in mental healthcare having grown up with first hand experiences of mental illness in my family, but I had never considered nursing until I joined the trust as a healthcare facilitator in2019. I was instantly inspired by the hard work, compassion, and intelligence of the nursing team I worked with. The COVID pandemic hit in early 2020 and I was so proud to work with a team to make sure our patients were safe and cared for despite the enormous personal challenges we all faced. I was able to understand the integral role nursing plays in the NHS and I wanted to challenge myself in a way I felt like other role’s wouldn’t, so I chose to apply for the apprenticeship programme.
What have been some of the most rewarding experiences you have had as a trainee nurse?
This year I was shortlisted for a Student Nursing Times Awards, and I was given the opportunity to attend the awards ceremony and hear stories from a room full of inspirational people. Despite not having won the award, this was still an amazing experience and a memory that will last forever
One of the most rewarding experiences I have had as an apprentice is having the opportunity to work across a variety of mental health settings in the Trust and observe patients make amazing progress and changes in their lives for the better. It has been a privilege to be part of different services and individual’s journeys and I will continue to cherish all the valuable opportunities I have been given over the past 2 and a half years.
As we celebrate International Nurses Day, what message do you have for your fellow nurses working hard to care to their patients?
To all our nurses, you should be so proud of yourselves! Thank you for your kindness and dedication to your patients, it is an honour to work alongside and learn from every one of you!
What’s your hopes for the future of nursing?
I hope that nurses can be recognised for the hard work and value they bring to the NHS. I also hope for parity of esteem in both mental health care in wider society but also mental health nursing education.
Any advice for other people thinking of training as a nurse?
My advice for someone considering a career in nursing would be to look at all the training options. The apprenticeship is a fantastic route that has allowed me to get hands on experience outside the context of placement/simulation and that has been one of the best things for my development as a trainee nurse. The journey to become a nurse is tough but it’ll be worth it if you can find the joy in what you do. And finally, prioritise yourself… you cannot care for somebody else if you do not take care of yourself first.
What do you want to do next?
I am looking forward to getting my pin and continuing to develop my skills as a qualified nurse working in forensic mental health services (HSS).Moving forward, I would be keen on stepping into a leadership role and developing my leadership skills. Longer term I am open minded… nursing has so many options for progression, and I would love to combine both nursing and my background in psychology to work with patients in a specialist nursing role. I cannot wait to see what the future brings!
Anyone who has inspired you especially at the Trust?
Two of my biggest inspirations have been my first and current clinical nurse managers on my host ward at Broadmoor Hospital. Both are inspiring women who have given me the space to grow as a person and as a nurse. They have taught me how to lead with kindness and navigate the complexities of working in a high secure hospital as both a woman and a nurse. I will forever credit both Liann and Katie for inspiring me to choose nursing.