A Day in the Life: Kelly, a Staff Nurse at our Inpatient Unit
6th September 2024
Find out about a typical day at our Inpatient Unit in Dorchester, with Staff Nurse Kelly Knight
I’ll arrive at just before 7:30am for the early shift, so we overlap the overnight team by about twenty minutes. We have a handover from them, finding out what’s happened with patients overnight and the previous afternoon. Then we’re into what is usually the busiest couple of hours of the day on the ward.
Care is very individual and person-centred
We’re allocated patients to look after, and the number we each have will depend on their needs. Some are able to be more independent, but others need ‘all care’ – we’ll do everything from washing and dressing to helping them with medication, and eating and drinking. We work alongside HCAs (Health Care Assistants) to ensure every patient gets the care they need.
If a patient is asleep, we will let them sleep. For those who are awake, after a round of medication it’s time for breakfast. We have ‘protected mealtimes’, meaning we don’t disturb patients while they eat, unless they need help. Some people have difficulty eating, so it’s all to do with giving them dignity and a more relaxed environment.
Then we’ll see who wants a wash, bath, or shower. We have an incredible bath that has lights and music and has jetstreams, so a real sensory treat! We have the flexibility to allow patients to have a bath or shower later in the day if they would prefer. It’s not a rigid routine, but whatever is best for the individuals staying with us.
‘Multi-disciplinary’ care involves different healthcare professionals
We’ll pause at 9am for Take 5. This is where we meet with colleagues, such as doctors and physiotherapists, for an update on patients and find out about any new arrivals who are expected.
We’ll start to take our breaks after 10am. It’s really important to have a break because palliative care can be emotionally and mentally exhausting. If it’s nice weather, I’ll go outside with a coffee.
Care for families as well as patients
Talking of breaks, we encourage family members to do that too. They can be at the hospice for long periods of time, but we reassure them that we can sit with their loved one whilst they have a cup of tea or take a walk around the gardens. Our nurse to patient ratio means we can do things like that, and time with patients was what I really wanted as a nurse.
After a round of medication and lunch, similar to the breakfast routine, we’ll start to handover to those on late shift from 1:30pm. We’ll talk about each patient, and write up our notes. Communication is really important, so everyone’s aware of the situation with each individual and can continue the care appropriately. We’ll also use this time to do any training that’s due, before heading home at 3:30pm.
We all support each other
As well as caring for patients and loved ones, we also support each other. We’ll cover for someone if they need to take five minutes, because it can be hard, particularly when a patient dies. If a patient of mine passes away towards the end of my shift, I would insist on staying to wash and dress them with the Health Care Assistants, talk to the family and complete the documentation.
We also leave a posy of flowers with the patient – a touching gesture which is something we’ve always done. We all go the extra mile here.
It sounds like a cliche but this really is like my second family. The team here just oozes compassion, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.
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