To commemorate International Nurses Day, and this year’s theme, ‘Our Nurses, Our Futures, Empowered Nurses Save Lives,’ we talked to some of our nursing team about what makes palliative and end of life care nursing so special, what empowerment looks like for them, and the difference this makes for the patients and families they care for.
For Ciara Waller, a Registered Nurse on our Inpatient Unit (IPU), working for a charity in mid Essex provides a sense of purpose. Knowing she can help people affected by life-limiting illnesses where they live, provides a unique perspective to her work.
When it comes to feeling empowered within her role, it isn’t about clinical authority; it’s about the voice of the patients. Ciara says: “I feel empowered by advocating for my patients regarding symptom management – it’s about making sure they are comfortable and involved in clinical decisions.
“This advocacy extends beyond medicine to the fulfilment of final wishes. Whether it’s a favourite meal, a movie night with family, or even bringing ‘Christmas to Summer or Easter in Autumn,’ the goal is to create meaningful moments that mean so much to patients and their families.
“I feel empowered by the little things – putting a diffuser in a room to relax a patient, getting someone outside in the sun, or simply playing their favourite music,” Ciara added.
Having a ‘sense of family’ with her team is also important. Ciara says: “Our team on the IPU really gets me through the tough and emotional says. They empower me to be stronger and are always there when I need somebody to speak to.”
Every nurse has a source of strength. For Ciara, her ‘secret source of strength’ is the memory of her grandmother, whom she cared for during her first year of nurse training.
“My Nanny is the source of strength that inspires me to come back each day,” she says. “I want to make her proud.”
To student nurses considering a career in palliative and end of life care, Ciara offers a simple truth: “It is a calling, not just a job. You are there for the relatives just as much as the patient. It’s more than just being a nurse. It can be tough, but it is incredibly rewarding.”
You can find more information about our Inpatient Unit here, or learn more about joining Farleigh’s nursing team on our careers page.