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How Claire and Maria are helping us help more after completing palliative care degrees.

9 May 2008

Maria’s story

It was hard work fitting the studying into home life as I have a nine-year-old
daughter, who obviously needs my time as well as a very understanding
husband who I have been married to for 14 years. My mom lives almost 100
miles away and I visit her every week. This isn't just to pass pleasantries but
to work, such as digging the garden, decorating, generally running another
household. I am her next of kin and power of attorney as since her stroke in
2000 she has been severely disabled needing constant care at home. I have
had to sort out the agency care plus any problems which may occur. So really
it's been a tough road to travel. I do have an outlet of horseriding and helping
out at the local stables along with my daughter, this gives us some special
time together.

I first came into palliative care in 1992. I was then an Enrolled Nurse (having converted in 1993), my grandfather had cancer of the stomach. I had no knowledge of palliative care, the hospice movement was still yet to make its impact and I was stranded with no help other than his neighbours. I worked full time, slept on a mattress by my Grandad and tried to give the best I could. I vowed then that I would not let another human being go through what I had if I could help it and to learn more about this environment. This has been my crusade ever since.

I enjoy studying, learning and gaining as much knowledge as I can. I am so passionate about palliative care that I want to be able to be knowledgeable in my chosen field to ensure that my patients and their relatives receive the best care possible.

As I said, palliative care is my passion and as I had already completed the Diploma in Palliative Care, I decided to forge ahead and complete the Degree. With the ever changing world of Palliative Care we have to keep ourselves up to date and I could not imagine myself working in any other environment. I feel that if I am going to do something then I want to be the best I can.

My qualification has enhanced my practice, it has provided me with a sound knowledge base of which I am able to pass onto my colleagues, support the student nurses and mentor other staff who are traveling the same education pathway that I have just completed. I am now mentoring other qualified staff in their studies and guiding them in their studies as well as a support to them.
 
What I love most about my job is looking after patients and their relatives in the process of bereavement work. I am also a fully qualified counselor which stands me in good stead for working closely with these people. Some cases are very sad and the outcome will have a very sad ending but if I can help them on this journey to acceptance then my job has been worthwhile. To provide the invaluable symptom control, be a listening ear, give support to both patient and relative, maintain dignity and provide a peaceful death is what I aim to do.
 
I have now been at Thorpe Hall for 13 years, however have not let the grass
grow under my feet and although do not work elsewhere have had
opportunities to work on different wards whilst completing different courses.
This has been an eye opener and it makes me appreciate the environment
I work in even more.
 
I believe that everybody should have the opportunity to partake in a palliative
care qualification wherever they work as it can only enhance their practice, I
encourage everyone to further their skills, they only have to see how
passionate I talk about palliative care to be convinced to continue with their
own studies.
 
I found out that I had passed the course on 2 October 2007. I was lucky that
the graduation ceremony was on 5 November 2007. I was watched by my husband, Bob and daughter, Katie who were both so very proud and we celebrated by having a quiet meal together as a family.
 
Claire’s story

It was very difficult combining studying and working full time, I work 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, so most evenings and weekends were taken up with studying, as one module quickly followed another and I completed it within two years. My husband was very patient, as were my family and friends. I am currently 11 weeks pregnant but did not luckily have children when studying or this would have made it increasingly difficult. Despite this, I have a very active family and social life and this definitely suffered, but everyone was aware of my goals and everyone is still there now I have finished.

I decided to do the degree in palliative care because I am very passionate about this specialist area of nursing and wanted to progress within my career and develop professionally, using my skills and knowledge within the hospice to the benefit of patients, relatives and colleagues. I wanted to know more about palliative care as this, as I have said previously is an area I am very passionate about, since qualifying in 1995 I have always worked within the area of palliative care within some aspect of my role, for the last eight years I have worked at Thorpe Hall and I love my job and this is such a privileged area to work within, and as a nurse you can make such a difference to patients and their families at such a crucial time in their lives.

My qualification has enhanced my practice by giving me the knowledge, skills
and confidence to influence palliative care provision within the remit of my
role. Studying has definitely enabled me to share best practice with my
colleagues and I would like to think has overall had an influence upon best
practice within palliative care.

I enjoy making a difference to patient and families lives, which we do
everyday, there is nothing more rewarding. Sue Ryder Care is very different
to working for other health providers, as care is provided in a calm, relaxed
environment where the onus is on providing high quality holistic care.

I passed my final module in December 2007, but have not yet attended a
graduation ceremony I have my certificate as it was sent through the post, but
I have not had confirmation of the ceremony yet, although there is supposed
to be one, but when I do not know.

I celebrated by going out for a meal arranged by my husband with all my
family and friends who had been so patient,
while I was studying for one big party!

 

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