User talk:Leakayash

Nursing is a profession I have always looked upon with respect. I believe that the role of a nurse can be very challenging and hectic at times, as well as rewarding and fulfilling. In my opinion a person who is willing to become a nurse needs to have very good interpersonal skills, be a good listener, have lots of patience, empathetic, eager to learn and strive to improve themselves. An understanding for other people's needs without prejudice is also important. I believe I possess all of the above qualities and will endeavour to maintain and improve on them whenever possible. My genuine interest in nursing came about whiles doing a course in Dental Nursing. It was a career I had wanted to follow my love and concern for the vulnerable and the sick led me to a change of career. I wanted to have more involvement with patients than I would otherwise have as a dental nurse. I first started working as a health care assistant and it was a wonderful experience for me. I developed a strong bond with my patients and I felt very much at home with my work. My love for caring pushed me to do an NVQ3 in health and social care to equip myself with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver good practice. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and it enabled me to gain valuable knowledge and experience not only from the various subjects offered, but also from the students who came from all works of life and from all backgrounds. My course not only involved theoretical study but also valuable practical experience. Among the places where I have volunteered during my course are: children's home, an orphanage, home for teenage mothers, old peoples’ home, and home for the mentally ill, diagnostic centre, re-educative children's home, a nursery and after school art club based in a primary school. I also took part in a project for homeless people. It was when I started working as a clinical support worker in an Oncology unit at University College hospital that I realised I definitely wanted to work in health care. This gave me practical experience and confirmed my desire to pursue more training. Currently I work in a hospice caring for patients with cancer, HIV, and terminal diseases and conditions which required palliative care. Apart from caring for patients, I am sometimes involved in accompanying patients back to their homes or to other hospitals and making sure that they have the necessary support they need. It is a very challenging job but I also find it very satisfying and rewarding.

Just holding someone’s hand during their terminal stage can bring so much comfort, not to mention the emotional and psychological help I sometimes offer to patients and their families. My interpersonal skills and my ability to understand non-verbal communication cues have greatly improved through these experiences and I have become a better listener too. I have also learnt a great deal in caring for people from all walks of life and with different cultural and religious beliefs. In my work, I try my best to maintain dignity, privacy and self-esteem for my patients at all times. I have also learned to respect peoples’ religious and social customs and I appreciate the diversity of patients I had to look after. Woking in such a context can be very hard at times but I am fortunate to be working with a dedicated team of nursing staff, doctors, therapists, and volunteers. We have an excellent working relationship and there is always help and support when needed. There are lots of opportunities for learning and I find the regular teaching sessions immensely helpful. Working in a busy hospice involves working on different shifts. I have learned to adopt a lifestyle that fits in with my shift work. All this is a great learning experience for me and more than that, it is preparing me for a noble future career. I truly enjoy working directly with people which is one of the reasons I have decided on this career path. I realise that nursing is a profession for life. Once you become a nurse you are a nurse for the rest of your life. It will influence the way you act and think, the way you see the world around you. I feel I am ready to embark on this profession and the way of life it entails.