Nursing in the community - full length film

Summary

The transcript highlights the experiences and reflections of community nurses, emphasizing the personal, compassionate care they provide to patients of all ages. They discuss the flexibility, variety, and emotional rewards of their work, from managing complex medical care to offering emotional and spiritual support. The nurses also speak about their dedication to keeping people out of hospitals, focusing on holistic, patient-centered care. Despite the challenges, the job is highly fulfilling, allowing them to make meaningful impacts on patients' lives while fostering deep, personal connections.

Takeaways

• 😊 The speaker became a community nurse to spend more time with patients and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
• 🏡 Community nurses provide holistic care, allowing patients to remain at home, offering a wide range of services from physical to spiritual support.
• 👶 Community nurses treat patients from 18 years old to the elderly, covering all types of nursing care needs.
• 🎯 The unpredictability of the job is a positive aspect for the speaker, as every day presents new challenges.
• ❤️ Building strong relationships with patients is central, with nurses often becoming like friends to the individuals they care for.
• 💼 The speaker highlights the importance of communication in community nursing, along with using advanced skills like injections, assessments, and prescribing.
• 🌈 Community nursing is described as emotionally rewarding, despite dealing with tough end-of-life situations.
• 📚 The speaker has developed more skills working in the community than in a hospital, with a broader scope for learning.
• 🎁 Memory boxes were discussed as a way to leave meaningful items for loved ones, with the reminder that they are not only about giving but also receiving.
• 🏥 The speaker emphasizes that community nursing plays a crucial role in keeping patients out of hospitals by identifying issues early, contributing to the overall healthcare system.

Q & A

Why did the speaker choose to become a community nurse?

The speaker chose to become a community nurse because they wanted to spend more time with their patients, plan their own day, and make a difference by helping people stay at home when they can. They enjoy the unpredictability and the holistic care approach.

What does the speaker mean by holistic care in nursing?

Holistic care involves looking beyond the medical aspects of care. The speaker examines the patient's overall situation, including how they're sleeping, eating, mobilizing, and whether they need spiritual or psychological support.

What types of patients does the speaker deal with as a community nurse?

The speaker cares for a wide range of patients, from 18 years old to the elderly. They provide any type of care that a nurse is required for, including advanced nursing skills like injections, nasogastric feeds, and leg ulcer care.

What does the speaker enjoy most about working as a community nurse?

The speaker enjoys the autonomy and the chance to develop a wide range of skills. They appreciate making decisions regarding patient care and treatment, and the variety and unpredictability of their day.

How does the speaker describe their relationship with their patients?

The speaker describes building strong, friendly relationships with patients, stating that it often feels like they are friends. Patients enjoy spending time with them, even when the treatments might be uncomfortable.

What are some challenges the speaker faces in their role?

The speaker acknowledges that the job comes with emotional challenges, particularly dealing with patients nearing the end of life. However, they balance these moments with lighter experiences, such as taking patients to exercise classes.

How does the speaker feel about advanced nursing skills in community nursing?

The speaker emphasizes that community nurses use a full range of advanced nursing skills, such as prescribing medications, performing assessments, and managing long-term conditions, contrary to the perception that these skills are only used in hospitals.

What support do community nurses offer to vulnerable populations?

Community nurses support vulnerable populations, including homeless individuals, sex workers, asylum seekers, and gypsies or travelers. They provide care in hospitals or on the street and help connect these individuals to further resources.

What was the impact of the memory box project discussed in the script?

The memory box project had a significant emotional impact on the speaker and the patient involved. It allowed the patient to create lasting memories for their 13-year-old son, highlighting that it's not only about giving to others but also about receiving comfort and connection.

What is the speaker's overall perception of community nursing?

The speaker finds community nursing to be incredibly rewarding, describing it as a 'lifeline' and expressing love for their job even after many years. They encourage others to consider it as a career, emphasizing the importance of primary care in keeping patients out of hospitals.