For International Nurses Day we’d like to share Sam’s story, one of our Nurse Practitioners who has been a nurse for 33 years.
Sam is based at Market Harborough in Leicestershire and has been with DHU since the not-for-profit, Community Interest Company, was commissioned to run the service in April 2019. Here is what she told us about her impressive career…
“Ever since my brother got Meningitis at 15, I’ve wanted to be a Nurse. He was very poorly at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and seeing what they did for him, how they cared for him at a time when we nearly lost him, and care for him as he made a full recovery was so inspiring. He had his 16th birthday on ITU and I took the chance to speak to them and find out what I needed to do, they helped me to apply for my training and here I am today.
“I started training at Derby Royal Infirmary in 1990, qualifying three years later and got my first job straight away at Leicester Royal Infirmary. I worked on many different medical wards, which specialised in pharmacology, respiratory, diabetes as well as the Medical Assessment Unit to gain as much experienced as I could. During my time at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, I worked my way up to Clinical Team Leader in charge of a ward.
“I was considering a change which was when a colleague told me about a Ward Manager job at Market Harborough. I thought about it and visited to be shown around and find out more about the role. I found that it would offer me more autonomy, there were decisions to be made and scope to develop the role and unit. I was Ward Manager of a 14-bed ward which offered step-up, step-down beds, rehabilitation and respite care. I also began developing the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) gradually training staff up in both injury and illness. When the new St Lukes site opened in March 2017, the whole of the Market Harborough District Hospital, including the MIU, relocated.
“I thoroughly enjoy my role here at the MIU. Before we moved here in 2017, we had a small hub of colleagues, one room, one curtained off cubicle with little or no privacy, and a long corridor walk to x-ray. Now we have purpose-built consulting rooms, more space and can serve and care for the local community more effectively. I’m proud to have played a part in developing this and grown with the team; we’re a close group and support each other emotionally and professionally.
“I work for DHU three hours a week but double it up to do a six hour shift every other Sunday and support Advanced Nurse Practitioner clinics. Patients are booked in through 111, walk ins and some GP surgeries book patients in as well. As an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, I am also a prescriber so I can run the whole clinic; I thoroughly enjoy providing this level of care and service to my patients.
“For me, nursing is about helping people that need help, to care for them as they get better, teach them to look after themselves and recognise what their condition needs. When I became a Mum, my skills and experience with children increased further. I’ve been able to share my knowledge and experience with other mums, friends, my children’s school as well as with my own children as they have grown; nursing is an extension of that. Giving people the right advice and help so they can live independently but knowing that you’re there if they need you. That’s what nursing is to me.”