Have you ever thought about a nursing career? Do you have experience working with people who have a learning disability?
In order to get a better insight into our Nursing roles, Kelsey Bellchambers (Nursing Associate) has invited us into her daily life as a Nurse at MacIntyre.
What attracted you to join MacIntyre?
I originally started volunteering at MacIntyre for my college course in 2013/2014. I loved working with all of the guys at the flats and grew to have a great bond with all of them. I have always had a caring nature and once I started working here I knew it was something I wanted to continue doing; so I applied for a relief position and progressed into being a full-time employee. I already knew of MacIntyre due to the Manager (Hannah) being my old Beaver Scouts Leader and had previously been a part of our Scout group raining money for a holiday for one of the people she supported at the time.
As I got older, my knowledge and skills grew I knew I wanted to progress onto Nursing and MacIntyre offered the Nurse Associate Role. I liked it being within MacIntyre as I already had great relationships with the people I support and had a great support system whilst studying and working.
What’s the best thing about working for MacIntyre?
Working with all the people that I support; building meaningful relationships with them. Taking each day as it comes as every day is a different day.
Having all the support with a variety of different training opportunities.
How have you balanced work and study?
My manager was a great support through me studying, the rota was done to give me days off together and have a set pattern of days I would work to allow me time to complete assignments whilst at MacIntyre. I would set myself targets of how much work I would complete by certain dates and always allow time to complete these. I had great support from my Assessor and MacIntyre’s Workforce Development Manager, Lynn Kennedy, whenever I had concerns or problems about my work and studying.
On my days off and once I got home from work I would always do University work, even if it was for an hour just to get research to help with my assignments.
What’s the one thing you are most proud of in your time at MacIntyre so far?
Achieving my Nurse Associate degree and being able to use some of the skills within the team. Being able to teach staff to help them be more independent if I wasn’t on shift to know how to deal with a health related situation.
What’s the best advice you could give to someone who’s thinking about becoming a Nursing Associate?
That it is a great step into Nursing, being able to have placement in all different fields like Adults, Children, Learning Disability and Mental Health. It outlines the different roles within different clinical settings of a Nurse Associate. It is the best thing I have done as now I can work in multiple clinical areas to gain more knowledge and skills to progress. It is tiring and frustrating but it is all worth it in the end.
Can you describe an average day at work?
Each day is a different day, depending on what happens on the day depends on what I would do at work. On average I work alongside the Support Workers and Senior Support Workers supporting people with preparing meals, administering medication, personal care, manual handling and ensuring they are eating a balanced diet with correct amount of fluids. Staff will come to me with any health concerns if there is any whilst on shift to know how to manage the situation quickly and effectively. I do complete health documentation for all people we support at least once a week to ensure they’re all up to date.
Inspired?
Interested in joining our team? Get in touch!
- E: [javascript protected email address]
- T: 01908 357016
- Or use the form below
