What is it like to work as a nurse in a care home?

To celebrate International Nurses Day, we’re taking the opportunity to discover more about our amazing nursing colleagues. Read our latest blog to find out what advice they’d give to someone thinking about moving from a hospital setting and answering the question what is it like to work as a nurse in a care home.  

Caron Armstrong is Deputy Manager at Kingston Court, Carlisle. She shares her thoughts on nurses starting out in their career, as well as what she enjoys most about working in a care home.

What inspired you to start your career in nursing?  

I became a Healthcare Assistant (Band 3) in 2002 on Orthopaedic trauma at the local hospital. Previously to this, I had been a department manager at Morrisons. My children were growing up and I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new, so I attended a seminar which job matched me to healthcare.

What advice would you give to a nurse starting out in their career?

Pay attention to detail, back up everything you do with robust documentation. Keep up to date with current learning and evidence-based practice. Embrace change, share your knowledge and be willing to learn from others. Most of all, enjoy what you do because you really do make a difference.

What do you like most about working in a care home?

I love being part of one big family. I feel valued by the team who all strive to make positive changes in the lives of vulnerable individuals at the end of their journey. Coming into the care home is a pleasure and every day is different. I love the autonomy I am given, being able to take pride in my work and supporting others.

What are the three things you can’t live without?  

• My husband Mike, my rock and my world. He loves me just for being me (poor soul!)
• My family, who I love more than life itself.
• My memories. Good, bad, they have made me who I am.

Catalina Palanceanu is an NHS Liaison Nurse at Kingston Court, Carlisle.

What advice would you give to a nurse starting out in their career?

I would advise to not give up. At the beginning everything can look overwhelming but with time and experience, you realise how lucky you have been by choosing this career.

What do you like most about working in a care home?

My personal experience is that it’s just been incredible. From day one, I was accepted in this team and we are all just a big family.

What advice would you give a nurse thinking about moving from a hospital setting to a care home?

Be patient. It’s a lot to process, but it’s just amazing to be in charge with the responsibilities of looking after more than 20 clients and a team of Care Practitioners.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Treat patients and their families as your own.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?

Definitely my mother. She encouraged me all the way. When I was feeling overwhelmed, she would help me see the importance of going after my passion and becoming an RGN.

Diane Roberts works as a nurse at Kingston Court in Carlisle. She tells us what inspired her to start her career and discusses the many opportunities outside ward-based nursing.

What inspired you to start a career in nursing? 

Almost 40 years ago, I completed a degree for a totally different career path, when my gran was admitted into a nursing home. She was living with dementia. There were incidents that happened that today would be safeguarded, so I trained as a nurse to try to do better. 

What advice would you give to a nurse thinking about moving from a hospital setting to a care home? 

Keep an open mind. There are so many opportunities outside of ward-based nursing. My top 3 favourite jobs have been outside the NHS. 

It is hard work, but it is both rewarding and challenging. You can make positive memories for families as their loved ones approach the end of their lives. That’s a good feeling, you can’t put a price on that. 

What is the best advice you ever received? 

Act in haste. Repent at leisure. Sometimes you need to stop, breathe and think for a moment. 

Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why? 

Totally non-nursing related – the person who has been the biggest influence in my life is a charity worker called Ravi Singh from Khalsa Aid. I am proud to call him a friend and have worked with him on a couple of occasions. 

What are three things in life you can’t live without? 

A black pen, another black pen and my grandchildren! 

If you would like to apply for any of our current nursing opportunities, we’d love to hear from you! Follow the link to find out about our latest roles: careers.mariposacare.com