For international Nurses Day we spoke to Julie Randon about what it is like to be a nurse within the NHS111 service. Julie has been with DHU for nearly ten years and works in our Derby Advice Centre as a Clinical Performance Manager.
Julie qualified in 1982 and has worked in a variety of clinical areas, including acute medical and surgical wards, to gain experience for her role.
“As a teenager I was a nursing cadet in St John’s Ambulance, it was a natural progression from there. My first role as a qualified nurse was in a special care baby unit in Leicester. I spent a couple of years there before deciding to do something different. I think it’s really important to experience different areas of nursing especially for my current role.
“Nursing is hard work, it’s a commitment. My advice to someone starting their career would be to focus on professional development. I have seen a lot of changes in the role over the years due to advances in medicine, services and patient care, so it’s imperative to keep up to date.”
I believe in working as a team to ensure we deliver the best care for our patients and would never ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself!
Speaking about her current role, Julie said, “Clinical Performance Managers are there primarily to support Clinicians and Health Advisors, ensure the safety of the 111 service and to identify any training needs.
“When there is a difficult call, whether it’s a Health or Clinical Advisor who receives it, I will support them. Calls can be difficult, for example an unconscious patient where life support needs to be given. I’m available right until the end to provide everyone with the help they need to give that patient the right treatment.”
Putting experience to use
Experience in different clinical settings has prepared Julie for the diverse range of patients who call NHS111 for advice.
Speaking about caring for patients over the phone, Julie said. “It’s a difficult role; I have embraced the challenge and accumulated 17 years of experience in telephone triage and advice. You have to use your enhanced listening skills, it’s not always about what the patient says, it can be what the patient or caller doesn’t say. Reflection is a vital part of the role and helps with your next call, you never stop learning.
“I enjoy the challenge of the role supporting others to assist and deliver safe patient care.”
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