“It’s a privilege to care for someone at the end of their life. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Vicki Hall is a Nursing Assistant at Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire, where she provides expert and compassionate Hospice at Home care to people living with life-limiting conditions in the community.
Vicki (pictured ) is sharing her story in the hope of inspiring others to find out more about a nursing career with Sue Ryder.
“It’s a privilege to care for someone at the end of their life”, shares Vicki. “Especially when you are working out in the community, as you are stepping into their environment and you can get a real sense of who they are; something that is not always possible in a clinical setting.
“We meet people when they are going through a very difficult time, but with our specialist knowledge and experience we are able to support them to live the best lives they possibly can. Everybody is on a different journey, but we are here to support them and their loved ones every step of the way.”
The Palliative Care Hub is based in Wallingford and its team of Sue Ryder Nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, family support and befrienders provide a Hospice at Home service, Day Service and Care Coordination and Advice Line.
As a Nursing Assistant, Vicki visits patients across South Oxfordshire to help manage their symptoms, ensure they are comfortable and provide assistance with personal care. On an average day she will visit between 6-8 patients.
Vicki shares the most rewarding part of her job is ensuring that the end of someone’s life is peaceful and dignified. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. When you are nursing someone in bed and you make sure that they’re comfortable and peaceful before they spend their final moments with their family, it is so rewarding. You leave the house and you think ‘this is why I do what I do’. Sometimes I go home and my partner asks how my day went and I just say ‘I love my job’.
Vicky is also keen to share that Sue Ryder is a supportive employer which helps develop its staff too.
“The team at the hub are so lovely and compassionate – we all get on well and support each other when we need it. The flexible shift pattern allows for me to have a great work/life balance and there are lots of training and development opportunities. I am always happy to take staff under my wing and pass on my enthusiasm and passion for the job!
“Palliative care is a different way of caring than other healthcare settings. It’s short-term care and it is very tailored and patient-centred. The role is so varied, you meet so many different people and you learn so much. If you can communicate well and you feel confident with difficult conversations, then this is the job for you.”
Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire is looking for Nursing Assistants to join its expert team and be there when it matters. Working at Sue Ryder you’re given the time to care and you’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team working in a highly rewarding area of nursing.
To find out more about current vacancies, please email recruitment@sueryder.org or visit www.sueryder.org/palliativecareers
