Heidi has had a really varied career and currently works as a quality assurance facilitator in Dorset HealthCare. She brings to that role all of her experiences and talents we are very lucky to have her in Dorset HealthCare.
Nursing never featured on my list of possible careers at school and, compared to my peers, I was probably the least likely person to become a nurse. Having started a mainstream arts degree, however, I soon realised that I lacked direction and I needed to follow a path which would lead to a professional qualification.
A flip of a coin helped me choose nursing and I initially joined the adult branch programme at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge although soon recognised that working on the wards of a large teaching hospital was not for me.
Two particular placements, in a day service and care home, made me want to specialise in learning disability nursing. The people I met had such diverse needs and I recognised that learning disability nursing, with its holistic and personalised approach to care would enable me to combine my interest in people’s physical, mental and emotional health and make a difference. Importantly, it was not about curing people or treating people but about empowering people to maximise their potential and, of course, learning disability nurses work across the whole age range so there were plentiful opportunities to specialise in working with different age groups and people with a wide range of needs.
My career to date has been varied. I have worked in community learning disability teams, child and adolescent mental health services, residential care settings, community dementia services, as an inspector with the Care Quality Commission and currently as a quality assurance facilitator for Dorset Healthcare.
This, for me, is the beauty of nursing. It leads you on paths you would never imagine possible and offers you opportunities to develop skills that are valued by many employers in many different spheres. It is as diverse as the people I meet and the opportunities to learn, and carry on learning, are second to none. It is a privilege to make a difference to people’s lives and I see the impact of my work every day.
When I was training as a nurse, more than 20 years ago, the future of learning disability nursing was uncertain. Mentoring students over the last three years has therefore been inspiring and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of their journey into a career that will offer them some incredible opportunities.
Like all branches of nursing, you have to adapt to changing times but the need is greater than ever. I am proud to be part of the nursing profession and am looking forward to another 20 years of service.
Comments