Nurses' Day 2011

This year, the Royal College of Nursing is inviting nurses and patients to contribute their "stories" to their website. We would like to invite our nurses and patients to do the same and contribute their stories to our website. We would like to hear from any of our nurses about why they chose nursing, why they love their career, and from any of our patients who are happy to share their stories of how they have been cared for by our nurses.

Please send your replies to our Communications Department. Your contributions will be displayed here to celebrate all of our nurses for International Nurses' Day. We will continue to collect staff and patient comments until Friday 20 May 2011.

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"Why I came into Nursing" by our nurses

"The last thing I had thought of being was a Nurse! But that all changed when I ended up in hospital at the age of 19. Frightened, in pain and very vulnerable – I was overwhelmed at the nurses’ care and compassion and the comfort and reassurance that gave me. I couldn’t believe the difference that one person could make on another’s suffering. The whole experience inspired me to apply for nursing, and now, after 26 years in the profession, I still feel as proud as I did the day I walked in. There are very few careers where you can say that, and even fewer where you can say “I made a difference today".
Patrick McCrossan, Operational Nurse Manager, Corporate nursing

"I always wanted to be a nurse from as far back as I can remember, I never thought of doing anything else ever. I really enjoyed my time as a Ward Sister and although I no longer provide hands on care I still view myself as a nurse and always will. I think as nurses we are in a unique position to make a real difference to the patients experience and although it can be hard work, tiring and stressful we should use this day to celebrate the great work we all do."
Angela Keating, Head of Patient Safety

"I always wanted to be a nurse from the age of 14 and since starting nursing in 1980 have loved every moment of my career. Working with patients and families has been a real privilege and knowing that you can make a difference to their experience is a wonderful feeling- there is no job quite like it!"
Claire O'Brien, Associate Nurse Director, Patient Experience

"It is important for me personally to believe that what I do every day is both meaningful and makes a contribution to helping people. Nursing allows me to do that. In a Nursing leadership role, not only can I influence the delivery of the quality of patient care today but it also puts me in a position to be the custodian of the profession within this Trust for the Future. This challenge is an honour and one that I am proud to accept and am passionate to deliver upon.
Avey Bhatia, Acting Director of Nursing

"While training, my supervisor nurse told me that I did not have the motivation to become a nurse. How wrong was she!! I qualified as a nurse specialised for adult surgical and medical nursing with the Florence Nightingale Award from the school. I have enjoyed my nursing career and still do, and I have made sure that when I have had students with me that they have the best possible experience while they do their practice to motivate them forward.
Ina Herridge, Patient Safety Lead

"Patients are the reason that I get up every morning and come to work... the opportunity to make a difference to someone when they need it most."
Angela Pennock, Operational Nurse Manager

"I was trained in Singapore. I was amazed with the value nursing is held in British society. My experience in England has taken me to places I would have never been before, making a difference in a health system that takes pride in ensuring fair and equitable care for all. No such system exists anywhere in the world."
Dee Slade, Stroke/TIA Clinical Nurse Specialist

"I, in common with many others, always wanted to become a nurse. I joined St John's Ambulance and stayed with them until I was 18. I worked in an old people's home every Saturday from the age of 13... OPD is the start of the patient's journey. Patients can be told bad news while they are with us and we need to comfort them. We can make good relationships with patients suffering from chronic illnesses which often means that they will confide in us problems which they might not tell the medical staff."
Clemi Newman, Sister

"I helped to look after my grand parents when I was young by making home remedies. In school I learned about Florence Nightingale and was attracted to nursing because of caring. It can be stressful at times but I enjoy administering care and to see patient satisfaction and the trust they have in me in looking after them."
Brenda Greaves, RN

"It's about giving good quality care to our patients. As for infection control point of view to deliver clean safe care and encouraging other staff to do the same."
Beverly Lemmon, Infection control matron

"When I was young I used to read all the Sue Barton goes nursing books and she always got the good looking doctor. Nursing didn't fulfil its promise, and I got a Welshman instead! Luckily nursing fulfilled other expectations."
Sue Bowen, Head of nursing for specialist medicine

"I came into nursing because I love helping people; the neighbour with borderline personality disorder, another with a skin flap after falling over a wall when drunk, and yet another who cut his leg with a circular saw. I am moving to another town now, but I think I'm going to keep quiet about being a nurse!"
Gaby French, Preceptorship programme facilitator

"You feel good about helping someone in need"
Tina Mbirimi, Ward sister

"It's about making a difference to a patient"
Debbie Brown, Palliative care nurse specialist

"It's hard work and very stressful at times, but knowing that you make a real difference to someone's experience of illness makes it all worthwhile."
Anonymous

"The one time I seriously considered leaving nursing, the only other job I could think of was a traffic warden, and I didn't want to get cold!"
Anonymous

"Nursing to me is a combination of skill and the art of caring. The challenge is to get the balance right."
Dhawali Ogletree, Preceptorship programme facilitator

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Patients' Comments

I thought I would drop you a line to comment on the care that my mum received whilst in hospital in case you wish to add it to your comments.
"She (and I actually) received a standard of care and support which I believe to be quite exceptional. The nurses on the ward (Medical 8 PRUH) who looked after her demonstrated, for me, a model of best practice to both patient and family under the most pressured and stressful conditions. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all that we received and although she passed away, it has helped me enormously to know that she received a level of care of which you can be proud."
Princess Royal relative

"They work long shifts and are on their feet all day attending to peoples' needs... helpful and always have a smile and a joke with/for patients. The lady who helped those of us who could not get out of bed for a wash made us feel more comfortable... taking into account dignity for the patient with a smile."
Queen Mary's patient

"To all the staff that looked after our Mum who passed away on the 1st April. You were all so kind and helpful to all of us. We are so glad that our Mum was in your ward. We just wanted to say a huge thank you. With love"
Queen Elizabeth relative

"Thank you to all the staff for caring and understanding"
Queen Elizabeth patient

"Thank you for all your care and bringing me back to my 'normal' self. You have all been really kind"
Queen Elizabeth patient

"I am very grateful for my care from nurses and all staff on the ward"
Queen Elizabeth patient

"The nursing staff were kindly, efficient and caring. I rate them very highly.
Queen Mary's patient

"The level of nursing care was fantastic. They were friendly, approachable, helpful and warm, very attentive and ensured I was comfortable at all times.
Queen Mary's patient

"The nurses were excellent and everyone is nice with a big smile."
Queen Mary's patient

"My Grandad is very happy with the nurses on his ward."
Princess Royal patient relative

"You have some excellent nurses working on Medical 7. They treat the patients well and listen to them. They also know how to do their job and what it involves."
Princess Royal patient

"The nurses I met are excellent, even when they are sometimes rushed off their feet."
Princess Royal patient

"The nursing staff do their best even when under high pressure from different directions."
Princess Royal patient

"..the quality of the nursing was outstanding... nothing but 100% satisfaction and praise for her care throughout the hospital."
Princess Royal patient relative