West Middlesex celebrates Nurses’ Day

13 May 2014

To mark International Nurses’ Day on 12 May, West Middlesex University Hospital held an event to celebrate the work of its nurses and the vital role they have in caring for patients.

To mark International Nurses’ Day on 12 May, West Middlesex University Hospital held an event to celebrate the work of its nurses and the vital role they have in caring for patients.  

The hospital has a long history of nurturing nurses as a profession, dating back well before the foundation of the National Health Service (in 1948). 

As a university hospital West Middlesex works closely with Bucks New University to provide training to student nurses, many of whom go on to work at the hospital. Bucks New University were on hand on the day to give advice to anyone interested in taking up a career in nursing.

The hospital’s theme for the day was the 6 C’s of nursing: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment – essential qualities for all nurses.

Edwin Dela Cruz, Head of Faculty of Nursing, explained: “It takes years of hard work and dedication to qualify as a nurse. But being a nurse involves a lot more than just having the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out the work. Virtually everyone will have contact with a nurse at some point in their life, whether it is looking after them or a loved one; the care and compassion shown by them will make such a difference to their experience and will be remembered long after their treatment has ended.”

Rebecca Scott is one such example. Rebecca was chosen as the hospital’s student of the year at an awards ceremony in December, in recognition of the deep sense of compassion and understanding she had shown when caring for patients. Since then Rebecca has qualified and started work at the hospital in the intensive treatment unit (ITU).

“Reflecting back on my career within the healthcare setting, which started ten years ago as a healthcare assistant, I can honestly say that it has been a journey of experiences. I have learned a lot about myself, including my strengths and weaknesses. I have learnt about life and its challenges, which can test you at any given moment. Being a newly qualified nurse working in the ITU setting reminds me of this every day. It also reminds me of how lucky I am to have my health and how fortunate I am to be doing a job that satisfies me. I continue to learn about people and their individual personalities, the complicated aspects of the human body and how these two elements are so closely related in health and illness. Whilst the job can be stressful and tiring I cannot imagine doing anything else, I am truly grateful that I am able to do a job which makes the term 'thank-you' so meaningful and worthwhile.”

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