Cameron’s story
“For me, it’s about leaving patients with a lasting memory of feeling valued, respected and truly cared for.”
I am Clinical Nurse Manager for Surgical Elective Wards and the Acute Pain Nursing Service. I am in a leadership role to provide support and leadership to various teams within the National Elective Service to enable them to work towards achieving Organisational and National Key Performance Indicators and targets. I work closely and locally with the Senior Charge Nurses and Clinical Nurse Specialists in each of the departments to meet everyday challenges, support quality improvement and deliver success on our Nursing priorities. I care about my colleagues and their wellbeing both as a group and individually. I aim to support them to come to work and care for our patients and to ensure that they can be the best they can be.
I used to be a joiner but, after the recession in the building trade, I decided to follow in my parents’ footsteps and train to become a nurse. I needed a stable, worthwhile working career that I could engage in and make the most of. I enjoy working face to face with like minded individuals and teams.
A good day at work is effective and collaborative engagement with the teams, everyone feeling supported and the theatre and patient workflow running smoothly.
A proud career moment was when I was nominated as one of fifty seven people for an Innovation award at the 2017 British Journal of Nursing Awards in London. I was shortlisted to the final three and came in second place but it was a hugely proud moment to be nominated for a national award and attend the great evening that was arranged. Just qualifying to become a nurse was a really proud moment as well and to be a part of supporting someone’s care and recovery following illness or surgery is hugely rewarding.
My motivation is always to ensure that I can do as good a job as possible day to day. I aim to support others within my teams but also work collaboratively with everyone out with my teams to ensure we provide the safest person centred care to our patients but also ensure the staff feel valued and cared for as well. The one thing that can affect your work each day is your attitude – the rest will be determined based on that. My passion for nursing has spanned 29 years, and I can honestly say I’m just as committed and enthusiastic today as I was when I first qualified.
Being a nurse takes dedication, compassion and a genuine desire to make a difference to the lives of others. It’s about showing up with empathy and strength and offering care to people who may be going through some of their most difficult moments. For me, it’s about leaving patients with a lasting memory of feeling valued, respected and truly cared for. That is the heart of nursing and that is what I would tell someone considering nursing as a career.
Read all Humans of Scotland stories here.
In connection with Humans of Scotland, the ALLIANCE Person Centred Voices team launched a short film. In it, we hear from some of the incredible nurses and midwives we’ve had the honour of meeting over the years. This film is a celebration of person centred care, professional pride, and the human connections that sit at the heart of nursing and midwifery. You can watch the film here.
End of page.