Published on: May 23, 2024
Connect for Health (C4H) acknowledged International Nurses Day this month by celebrating their staff members individual experiences and professional views.
Through a social campaign, C4H highlighted and shared the reasons why their school nurses have stepped into their roles and what drives them to support people.
We asked our team what inspired you to become a nurse?
Jennifer Cave, School Nurse, said, “I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. My grandma and my aunt were also nurses. It’s a privileged position to be in, able to care for people when they’re at their most vulnerable and to make the situation a bit more bearable for them.”
Some C4H staff expressed an interest in pursuing nursing after their experiences when they were children. Eilish Flambert, School Nurse, stated, “I had my appendix removed when I was 14 years old and had to spend a few days in hospital. I still remember the time quite clearly and the kindness of the nurse who spent the most time on shift.”
Stacey Potter, School Staff Nurse, was also inspired from a young age and said, “I was a member of the St John ambulance as a child and enjoyed helping people so decided to go into nursing.”
With new nurses qualifying every year, the school nursing team noted what advice they would give to a young person who might be considering training as a nurse. Some members of staff recommended volunteering in nursing homes, children’s nurseries or community settings first to make sure the job is the right fit for them.
Stacey advised: “It takes a lot of commitment to be able to learn everything you need to and there will be times when you feel like you can’t do it, but keep persevering. Make sure you appreciate everyone in your team – everyone is valuable.”
Other staff stated that students would need a strong desire to help others and to never stop learning.
There are numerous ways in which the C4H nurses support children, young people and their families across Warwickshire. The nursing team determined that ‘listening’ was the most important act that a nurse could do for someone.
Eilish highlighted the importance of “taking the time to listen, to empathise and be an advocate.”
Connect for Heath continues to support families in Warwickshire with their health and wellbeing needs. Being a service that listens means that the C4H team consistently values each individual throughout the care that they receive.