Con’s story
“I would say that the ability to look after people is one of the greatest skills in the world.”
I am Lead Nurse for Dementia at NHS Golden Jubilee. My role is to work with staff to ensure that every person with dementia who comes to the hospital, and their carers, have their needs met and experience compassionate, expert care.
I chose a career in nursing following an experience my mum had when my gran died. The care and support my mum was given was not terrible but it was not good. I pledged that when pursuing a career in nursing, I would always recognise the trauma families feel when a loved one dies and ensure that my actions will support a dignified death and full appreciation of the significance for anyone who loses a loved one. I wanted to choose a career that meant something and helped people.
My proudest moment is achieving the Chief Nurse role for Clyde Acute Hospitals which allowed me to define the importance for all our nurses to deliver compassionate, individualised and person centred care for our patients. A good day will always be if any actions I take help improve the experience of a patient with a cognitive impairment either directly or indirectly.
If you are considering being a nurse, I would say that the ability to look after people is one of the greatest skills in the world. Always remember that it is a privilege to be allowed to look after someone and that you are responsible and accountable for delivering good care to them at all times. My motivation and my belief is that the core of being a good nurse is a sense of empathy for the person and their carer.
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.
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