Staff nurse Chelsi shares with us how her two student nurse placements at the Hospice led her to do a U-turn on her original career plans to be a midwife...and led to her job at Strathcarron.

Chelsi started her nursing training at the University of Stirling in 2019 and was so inspired by her time at Strathcarron that she wanted to return to the Hospice when she qualified if she could.

Chelsi joined our Strathcarron team working on the inpatient unit a few weeks ago - a career goal come true!

"I had set out to do a role bringing people into the world and I have ended up in a role supporting people on their path out of life – two of the most important precious moments."

CHELSI'S STORY 

Chelsi said: "I started my nursing training as a University of Stirling student in 2019. By March we had entered COVID19 and everything got delayed in way of placements for students.

When I eventually got my placement in 2020 at Strathcarron in my first year I did feel a bit daunted. I had never experienced anywhere like a hospice before.

The placement was also a very different experience compared to what it would have been pre lockdown as you can imagine with all the restrictions and masks.

I was really nervous about coming here. I didn’t know what to expect as would be around lots of death and I had never experienced anyone dying before in my personal life.

I was a worried first year and walked in to all these new faces but as soon as I met my mentors - nurses Jackie and Lynn – I felt really welcome and at ease.

I felt really lucky to have got the placement here at Strathcarron. It was only for four weeks but when I was here I learned so much."

GOAL SETTING

"Normally in second year you would go to a different setting for placement but due to COVID we were redeployed back to our first placement. I came back for five weeks and at the end of it I knew hospice care was definitely what I wanted to do. I cried all the way home after my placement as I didn’t want to leave! It changed my career path!

I have really fond memories of the patients I dealt with during that time.

My original plan was to do my nursing and then complete midwifery training, but I came here and all that changed.

My placements were emotional at times and a lot to learn. There was more acute medical care than I had originally anticipated there to be at a hospice and I had never dealt with any death or loss before my time here, but in the Hospice people do pass away, but I realised it is about much more than that.

I remember my time with the patients - we had such a laugh and it was very fulfilling. I enjoy being hands on and having that time to support and care for people.

When I finished university and qualified and I got a job in orthopaedic rehabilitation and then saw the job at the Hospice advertised. I was delighted when I got it!

I’m settling in well and I love working with the patients, spending time getting to know them and talking to them.

I had set out to do a role bringing people into the world and I have ended up in a role supporting people on their path out of life – two of the most important precious moments.

The job really is so rewarding – it's amazing."

Find out more about available roles at the Hospice Job vacancies | Strathcarron Hospice